He tsked softly, fingers reaching to smooth devotedly against her cheek.

"No, I will not be there with you. Because," he continued quickly, "tonight is the Telmarine ceremony. You'll go to the shore after nightfall and wait alone. If I'm worthy of your hand, I'll be able to make it past my own guards and steal you away from where you're waiting."

Not, exactly, that any of the guards would try particularly hard to keep the young king from the woman he clearly loved.