“I’d say yes.” She smiled at him. Her earlier reservations dissolved as she took his hand and followed him down the street, past the gallows and the dispersing crowd and toward the cafe. In a minute they were there. It was a small place, one rectangular room with a coffee maker, a half-dozen tables and an outer patio area with another half-dozen tables. There was a generator, power and air-conditioning inside, so they sat there. Alexander ordered them two large cups of black coffee. He sat down while he waited for their order and stared into her eyes. She stared back. For a while, that was all they did.

“It’s so good to see you,” Sasha said. “I’ve been working at the hospital and I’ve seen so many wounded men. I couldn’t stop thinking I was going to see you there in one of those beds, broken and bleeding…”

He smiled at her. Then he reached his left hand out and sat it on top of hers. Sasha shivered, she couldn’t help it. Things stirred inside her. She felt a sudden, powerful urge to possess his body, to hold him and squeeze him and be explored in turn. She clamped her mouth tight and focused on trying not to give all her thoughts away through the blush in her cheeks.

“Sasha,” he said, “it brings me such joy to see you here. And don’t worry. I know the situation at the ladies’ barracks is rather primitive. But I’m talking to my commanding officers. As soon as we get married, you’ll be a part of my household. We’ll be able to live together. We’ll build a life and that life will help build the Heavenly Kingdom.”

She was stunned for a moment. Sasha began to tear up and all she could do was nod at him. This was like a dream. It was, of course, rather different from her actual dreams, which had involved Alexander and a house but not so many bleeding and dying men, nor a gallows.

Their coffee arrived. Alexander took a sip and she followed suit. He continued.

“I know you’re working at the hospital now. I’m sorry about that. I’m sorry you had to spend so much time scrubbing toilets. As soon as I can get you off those duties, I will–”

“Oh no!” she interjected, “I love working with Dr. Brandt. It’s important, and I want to do my part to help the Kingdom thrive.”

Something passed across Alexander’s face. It looked like irritation, perhaps at her interruption. But it was gone quickly, and his smile returned.

“That’s admirable, Sasha. You’re a remarkable young woman. If that’s what you want, I’m sure you can continue to help out there until you’re with child.”