Silently, she waits in the moonlight in the Lily Meadows. She can hear nothing but the creatures of the night and her own breath, her heart now in her throat. A twig snaps in the forest behind her, she holds her breath and turns. Is it an animal, or has she been found by her step-father’s men? Her heart pounding rapidly now, there is no place to hide. In any case, she has surely been spotted by now as she is standing in the light of the moon and there is no escape for her now.

A shadow moves in the forest, but still she cannot tell whether man or beast. She dares not speak, fear has spread through her now trembling body.

“Shamira” a voice whispers as the shadow steps forward through the moonlight.

“Justice, you startled me,” Shamira replied. “I was worried that you would not come and instead I would be found by Herold’s guards.” Relief beginning to take the place of fear and adrenaline.

“Are you ready to leave, my love?” Justice asked as he stepped closer to her, his masculine face now lit by the moon.

“Yes, take me away from this evil place and that cruel man.” She longed for her Love’s embrace, but did not want to linger for fear of being found. Should the guards find them together, they would both be placed in shackles and led to Death Valley.

“Justice,” she said, her voice fearful. “We must go, now.” From behind him, she saw another shadow in the forest – they had been found!