"Do you like to slide?"His voice was eager.Stair rails! Did he suspect me? I forced a sigh. "No, Majesty. I'm terrified of heights.""Oh."His polite tone had returned."I wish I could enjoy it. This fear of heights is an affliction."He nodded, a show of sympathy but not much interest. I was losing him."Especially,"I added, "as I've grown taller."
"Hush Hattie!"I said, intoxicated with my success. "I don't want to go to my room. Everyone must know I shan't marry the prince."I ran to the door to our street, opened it, and called out into the night, "I shan't marry the prince."I turned back into the hall and ran to Char and threw my arms about his neck. "I shan't marry you."I kissed his cheek. He was safe from me."
"Hush Hattie!"I said, intoxicated with my success. "I don't want to go to my room. Everyone must know I shan't marry the prince."I ran to the door to our street, opened it, and called out into the night, "I shan't marry the prince."I turned back into the hall and ran to Char and threw my arms about his neck. "I shan't marry you."I kissed his cheek. He was safe from me."
"I want to be with you forever and beyond..."