“Together,” I repeated, voice cracking as I took the other ring from him so I could slip it onto his finger in kind. “Always.” I kissed Nakht fiercely, and he chuckled against my lips.
“That’s a yes then?” he sputtered.
“Yes!” I nearly shouted before kissing him again.
Oh how I kissed him, as deep and devoted as the beat of my heart.
“Dawn and dusk,” I said softer, nuzzling his cheek.
“Dawn and dusk,” Nakht echoed, cuddling me back. “Not so different in the end but better because each exists.”
“Poet,” I teased him.
“I did write a poem for the occasion.”
“Youdid?”
“Yes, but I don’t think you’ve earned hearing it yet.” Nakht turned, hand clasped in mine to tug me after him.
“Nakht!” I chastised with a choked laugh.
“Come along.” He glanced over his shoulder at me, and in the moonlight with twinkling stars above, he looked as beautiful as ever.
I clutched his hand, my right in his left, and fingered his leather ring, enjoying the texture, while also liftingmyleft to gaze upon mine. They were perfect, and I would have no other. Ever.
A tingling at the back of my neck alerted me to eyes watching us. I clutched Nakht’s hand tighter as we continued through the garden. Not wanting to worry him, I hesitantly peeked behind us—and nearly collapsed where I stood. Because back by the start of the pond…
WasNakht.
Then the night flashed white as blinding as the dawn.
NAKHT
Bound though we may be,
let us bind our hearts to each other
with winding cords
like the coil of our bodies,
skin against skin.
For though life and flesh fade,
Our love will stretch beyond death,
beyond all that might separate us,
even if the skies tremble
and the gods take you too soon.
We persist.
We love.
We are.
