The light vanished. The Prince pushed himself to his feet and staggered from the tent.
"Oh God, what have I brought Justine into?" Patrick said, "Please hear me. All I ever wanted was for her to be happy. What do I do?"
Love.
The word dropped into his thoughts like a stone.
"But they're going to kill everyone. They're going to kill Justine!"
Love.
This time the word bubbled up from beneath his fear.
"I'm so scared, I have never believed in You like I should. What's going to happen to me?"
Love.
The word was accompanied by a vision of a man nailed to a cross. Yet he looked at Patrick with eyes holding no blame, only compassion.
"If I must die, then I will die, but take care of Justine." Patrick let the tears flow from his eyes. "I am yours." A touch brushed his heart not affecting the agony in his hands, but healing a wound deep within his soul.
Love.