I take a good long glance into my beloved's eyes. I caress her cheek as her long brown hair fights with the wind. "Just as beautiful as the day we met." I smile. She settles her hand on mine as she looks back with a a content smile.

"You always were a charmer, my prince." She pulls my hand to her soft lips and gives it a peck. Her eyes pool with love and... concern. I know where this is going.

"No." I respond. " I can't."

"Our people, they will welcome you. They are already enamored with the idea of the Lake of Longing. I welcomed you back into my arms the moment you returned. Must you be so stubborn?" Her brown eyes contrast themselves, being filled with both annoyance and soft tenderness.

"I could never show them what has become of me. Only through your kindness and grace would you accept me." She smiles at me tenderly, as she reaches for the mask that covers my face. I freeze on instinct and clasp her hand to stop her. She shakes my hand away and unmasks me. I look down ashamedly and catch a glimpse of my face in the lake's reflection. Hideous. So many scars mark my face that I look more monster, more inhuman than man. I turn away from my reflection, turn away from her. My heart aches that she even has to look at me.

She takes both her hands and clasps my face with them to turn me towards her. "You are the same man. Just as handsome to me as the day we met." I feel tears pool to the corner of my eyes, but deny them. She pulls me in for a tender kiss. When we pull away, she gives me another smile. "Perhaps more. The scars prove what you went through, what you fought for. I wish you'd stop hiding them from me and from your kingdom." I give her a mischevous smile and pull her close.

"And what if I'm just pretending so that I may call you my lady and fufill your one and every desire? What of that then?."

"Every desire?" Her eyes light with fire as she looks at me. Ah. That look almost makes me never want to put that mask back on. Almost. She pulls me even closer and crashes her lips into mine. Perhaps I shall have to rename this lake the Lake of Desire if I ever decide to reclaim my throne.