Like a flood of blood from a wound the guilt flashed within him, building up inside his skul and his ribcage. The feeling was indescribable, though still he searched his mind for a way to fix it as if there was something he could actually do or say to mend the descruction he had caused. It felt just out of reach! A solution to this travesty.
In reality it had been - months ago.The solution was to simply not do what he did. As if searching for a power within his mind or an object to unlock time, Tilney clenched his jaw once again and thought. hard.
There was no way out; this was the storm, a dark hour, and it was inescapable.

The woman he loved remained standing in all her fierceness, the valor and beauty he loved her so much for. It seemed as though this had not ruined her like it had him - a blow or a knock to the knees perhaps but still she stood tall with her velveteen chin high. Surely behind her infallible visage there was a weeping woman, one who had seen too much and braved too much to finally be struck with this... or perhaps that was it. Arah was battle worn now, her heart hardened against the faintest possibility of loss or disappointment; The the heart of the ice princess was now frozen completely solid.

The woman's words were like swords, her instructions like a shield. Tilney could only nod with the urge to bow at her feet, his viridescent eyes quaking at the sight of her. Could he ask for forgiveness? it was much too soon.
As his gaze tightened upon her own the stag fixated upon her thoughts, wishing to know her every breath and sigh, her every whisper. what did she think? was she merely putting on a brave face? Perhaps the moment he left there would be a violent relapse of emotion, an ensuing rage. It was as he concentrated on her own mind that the whispers came to his ears like a scratch to the back of his head. Arah did not speak them, her lips did not move an inch.
Silently the stag stood, shocked and bewildered as the voices of his lovers mind came to him.
It felt as natural as a heartbeat, yet as foreign and fearsome as a wound - was he actually hearing her thoughts?
"Arah, I hear you!" Tilney uttered breathlessly "I hear your thoughts! Never before have I been able to do this"
to say this night had been overwhelming was putting it lightly.