In the space between sleeping and wakefulness, a hand gently stroked my cheek. Out from the darkness, a voice spoke to me.

“Cordelia? Are you awake?”

I opened my eyes. Yuri was sitting by my side.

”Yuri? What is it?

He smiled.

”My dearest, you look beautiful in the moonlight.”

That’s when I noticed his eyes, slightly tinged purple.

”Mentis.” I bowed my head reverently. “What is it you need of me?”

He lifted my chin. “Nothing, my dearest. I just needed to see you again.” He bent forward and kissed my forehead. “You are growing so fast. You’ll be a woman soon.”

”What does that mean for us?”

”You’ll become more powerful, my queen.”

”Is power really so important?”

He ran his fingers through my hair. “Ah, you speak so innocently. My dearest, power is what is to get us our world. Power shall make you queen.”

”Does this place not already have a ruler?”

”No, my love. One poses as ruler, but knows nothing of how a society should be run.”

I yawned.

”I’m sorry. I should not have woken you. Go back to sleep.”

”No, I’m not tired.”

He continued to stroke my cheek.

”Do you have much work to do?”

”Not tonight.”

”Would you hold me?”

I picked up the coverlet and he slid underneath and lay down. I snuggled up to him and lay my head on his chest. He put his arms around me protectively.

”Mentis?”

”Yes, child?”

”Do you love me?”

”With all that I am.”

”Does Yuri love me?”

”His heart beats only for you.”

I closed my eyes and listened to Yuri’s heart. The sound of it’s strong beat soon lulled me into a deep sleep.