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“Shhh.” He sneaks another kiss, right on the tip of my nose. I give him a mock scowl in response. “I have a plan. Let’s get out of here before they catch us.”
He wraps his arm around my shoulders and guides me, not deeper into the tree, but around its edge, until we reach a strand of beach too narrow for revelry. Nadria stands waiting at the water’s edge with her glittering wings outstretched. Ready to carry us away.
My heart flutters with joy as we leap onto the dragon’s back and leave Thura behind in a rush of silent wings. Nadria flies over the shadowy sea and through the maze of tiny maraseya islands, so low the leaves of the trees rustle as we pass. I nestle in Keliveth’s arms, reveling in the glorious peace and silence around us.
A cluster of lights on one of the smallest islands draws my gaze—not the silver-white of the flowers, but the warmer glow of rune-lanterns. Nadria swoops toward it and lands in the surf at the edge of a smooth beach. The lights cast golden streaks onto the glassy sand, mingling with the gleam of the blossoms and the moon.
Keliveth takes my arm and leads me through a curtain of leaves and roots, his smile brimming with eagerness. We emerge into a cozy clearing. My breath catches. A hundred small rune-lanterns hang from the branches around us, shining down on piles of soft cushions and blankets. A spread of delectable food and wine sits to one side. The air smells of sweet incense mingled with the scent of the flowers.
“This is why you disappeared?” I give a delighted laugh. “It’s perfect.”
Keliveth grins, looking pleased with the effect of his work. “Well, Seamother, do you think we’ll be safe here until morning?”
I answer by taking hold of him and kissing him so hard he stumbles back and falls onto cushions. I tumble down on top of him. We both laugh as all the cares of the past days and years fall away.
This time, as we come together, we move slowly. Now, at last, I kiss him without fearing he’ll be torn from me a moment later. We savor each caress, never rushing, knowing we have all the time we need to learn the feel, the taste of each other.
And when at last dawn finds us, we close our eyes to the sunlight and linger in each other’s arms, exhausted and content in the shelter of the maraseyas.
