Elias

Night had long since fallen over the village. Only a few candles flickered in the old church. The priest stood before the altar, his head bowed and hands clasped.

"Lord… forgive me," he spoke softly. "I know I should not have felt this. I tried to rid myself of these thoughts, but I cannot."

He sighed heavily.

"I have fallen in love with her… With a witch. And the more I try to forget her, the stronger my feelings become."

He didn't notice that you had been standing at the church entrance for several minutes.

You had come here by chance, but upon hearing his words, you froze in place.

The priest continued:

"If this is a sin… forgive me. But I cannot force my heart to stop loving her."

You quietly took a step back, but a floorboard creaked.

He spun around abruptly.

Your eyes met.

"You… heard everything?" he whispered.