She saw him staring, turned toward him, and looked at him. Her lips parted slightly, and he caressed her cheek, marveling at how soft it was, at how pure she seemed, a doll in a world of demons. He kissed that cheek, and she smiled softly. Her lashes tickled his face. He held her hand, and he kissed her ear, a little peck, and she placed her arms around him. His lips brushed across her neck, moving upward, hesitating, and though he had fought armies of demons and rocs, now Tanin was afraid, nervous, awkward. She turned her head slightly toward his, trembling in his arms, and his lips brushed the corner of her mouth. She met his gaze, and her green eyes were so large, and he leaned forward and kissed her lips. Fast as the waves washing over the shore, she melted into his kiss, their mouths open, their tongues moving together.

The waves whispered, and they kissed for a long time, and their hands grasped at each other, desperate, exploring, and all the pain Tanin had lived through these past few years—all the hopes and dreams and nightmares—emerged now, needing relief, needing her, Issari, a woman he loved. Her hands slid under his shirt, and he helped her, pulling it over his head, and she pressed herself back up against him, kissing him. He reached under her tunic, feeling the soft skin beneath, and she helped him remove her garment and tossed it aside. She gazed at him with those huge eyes, and he pulled her onto his lap, and she buried her hands in his hair, her head tossed back. He kissed the declivity below her neck, moving his lips downward, kissing her chest, then back up again to her lips.

I love you, Issari, he thought. I've loved you since the moment I saw you. I will love you forever.

They spread their cloaks upon the sand, then lay down upon them, pulling off their last items of clothing. Her body was slim and silver in the moonlight. Tanin had bedded women before, villagers he had met on his wanderings—quick, cold encounters that had left him feeling more lonely than ever. With Issari it felt warm, real, and so pure he never wanted it to end. She moaned beneath him, eyes closed, mouth open, and their naked bodies moved together. She cried out and dug her fingers into his back, and he let himself flow into her until he lay still. He kissed the tip of her nose, then lay beside her. She nestled in his arms, nuzzling his cheek.

He looked up at the stars. They shone down, not just the Draco constellation but millions of others. The music of the waves played, and from where he lay, he couldn't see the city of demons. He could see only beauty, feel only warmth.