His eyelids jerked open, revealing golden irises bright with terror. He tried to stop a panicked cry, and failed. “Rue!”

His heart beat, but he pressed a desperate hand over it, briefly entertaining the thought that it would be worth stopping it to halt the Raven's blood that haunted the flow of his own. He was never aware of it while he was awake, but the fear that it would make him a threat to his princess persisted. He found a sitting position, pulling his knees to his chest and resting his head atop them.

Another hand slipped in, and joined his own over his heart. “What is it...?”

He couldn't say it was just a nightmare, not to himself. He couldn't face her. “Nothing... I'm sorry I woke you. Go back to sleep.” But it was hard to cover up his feelings now that he had them. She ran her hand up and lifted his chin, directing his gaze into hers.

“What is it, my prince?” She repeated, courtly firmness threaded with her concern.

“A dream.” He forced the answer, and its absentminded lightness was strained. He turned away to stare at the wall in front of them through sorrowful eyes, and pleaded quietly, “Please...”

A shudder ran along his frame, and it would not stop. He did not want to continue the conversation, because there was nowhere it could go that would not cause discomfort to his princess. He would have liked to be alone then, to calm himself without the possibility of hurting her, though he doubted he could have slept again that night however much he tried.

She rested herself against his shaking back, and he stiffened. “Rue... My princess...”

“I won't force you to speak, of course... But...” Her words and breath froze, apprehensive, as if she worried he might lash out at her for pushing. She bit her lip, and continued with fresh steel gleaming in her tone. “I would like to know what about me troubles my prince.”

That had not been what he expected. Had her name from his nightmare scared upset her out of some belief that she was the monster? No, that was his own role. The noble prince and the monster; he questioned the ability of such a fragmented being to survive for long. He whirled to face her, however, even taking her hands between his own. He hated that he had stirred such a thought. “No! You have done nothing. I promise.”