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Amber let out a sound of disbelief, shaking her head. “It’s too late. I don’t think there’s anything you can do.”

Christopher stepped forward, taking her hands. “I asked you earlier to trust me. When I did, I told you I wouldn’t let your cousin marry you off to that man. This note is just that. Nothing but a note. It doesn’t change anything.”

“How can you say that? Didn’t you read it?”

“I did. You watched me. That’s why I know I can stop this.”

“But how?”

He shook his head. “Just trust me.”

She hesitated. “But how?”

He just smiled. “I can’t tell you yet. Just know, it will work.”

“How can you be so confident?”

He took a step towards her. “Because I won’t let him have you.”

“I don’t understand why you care so much.”

He sighed. “Do you really not know?”

“Know what?”

Then he stepped forward, closing the last of the distance between them. Finally, their lips met.

Amber gasped against him. For a moment, she was too stunned to react.

Then she melted against him, hands coming to clutch at his shirt.

His arms wrapped around her in a protective embrace.

Tears burned her eyes when he pulled away. This was it. This was what she was going to have to give up.

“Don’t worry,” he whispered, gentle hand wiping away her tears. “I won’t let anything happen. I promise I’ll find a way to protect you. Do you trust me?”

She hesitated for a moment before saying, “I want to.”

“And I want you to be able to. Is there anything I can do to make you feel like you can?”

She hesitated. “I- I don’t know.”

“Well, I want to try.”

Amber looked away then took a deep breath. “I think I just want to take my mind off of what happens next for a little while.”

“I think I can do that. I’d offer you a place to sit down, but there’s only the bed.”

“That’s all right,” she said before sinking to the floor. “I’m sure we can find a way to be plenty comfortable.”

He smiled. “As long as you’re happy.”

A sad smile played on her lips. “I don’t think my happiness has ever been a concern before.”

“Well, it should be.”

Amber fell silent, eyes staring straight ahead.