As the days passed, the hours that were left became both more painful and more precious. Alfred made no secret of the fact that he would put her ashore the minute they got to Vallancia, and would be glad to see her go. In some ways, Layla wanted to get there too, so that she wouldn't have the pain of seeing him every day, so that she could try to get over this stupid, soul-destroying emotion alone, and with some kind of dignity. But the thought of never in her life seeing him again was almost unbearable, and in those moments, she longed for time to slow, to stop, so...