**
"Can I love you, Ember AshFall?"
The question felt more like a personal attack than it was actually a question. Like he was attempting to bring out her own very insecurities to the fore.
She caressed his cheeks still, more than prepared to take this bold step.
"You can." She answered, "because I wish to."
He stared her up and down in a way that was borderline cruel. "You might never ever be my equal," he said harshly, "you would try hard because that is in your nature, but you might never be able to stand on a truly equal footing with me."
"Still I will try." She all but whispered the answer in the space between them, "since you know me so well, then you should know that I've a better resolve than others. So come one day, I will be able to stand on an equal footing with you."
"Why so foolishly relentless," he cursed out in frustration, "your stubbornness drives me mad."
