This really needed to be at least twice the length, realistically. We never get any real insight into either of the characters, and the whole thing unfolding in 36 pages means that the development of their relationship is very quickly glossed over. There was so much potential here and I would have happily sat with it for a solid 250-300 pages; the author has a really lovely way with words and the sense of place was very strong, particularly in Nicolette's village towards the end of the story. I'll very eagerly await whatever this author has in store next, because beautifully written sapphic romances make the world go round, and the parts of this that were well developed were promising enough to make me excited for potential full length work from this author in the future. It's just a shame that, to over-extend a metaphor, this story never really had the chance to blossom for me.