Aurora swallowed, her throat parched despite how much water she had accidentally swallowed. “And are your feelings clear now?” she asked. “They felt clear back in the river, but if they are not, please do clarify.”

Kiran looked at her, the smoke from the fire turning their little alcove hazy against the night. “I still do not belong in your world.”

“Some would say I do not belong in my world either.”

Kiran’s hands flew up from where they had been clutching his knees, and the words burst out of him like a creature finally set free. “Which is why I could not leave. Skies help me, Aurora. I wanted to walk away. I wanted to be able to make that choice.” He swallowed and his face turned serious as he leaned closer to the fire, closer to her. “But as long as you are in this world, I want to have your back. I want to make certain you are safe. I want to help you do the wild, improbable things you dream of doing. I want to stand beside you as you turn this place upside down and build it anew.”

“I want you there too. I always have.” Her voice wobbled slightly as she continued, “So where have you been?”

He sighed. “I will never be good enough for you, Princess. I can do those things without tying you down to someone who brings nothing to the table. I know how royal marriages work. You have to marry someone who is your equal, someone who brings land or skill or riches, and I have none of those things. But I could be your guard. I could be like Taven. I would lay down my life to keep you safe, to see you reach the heights I know you can.”

Aurora had had enough of this talk.

She stood and peeled the wet undershirt over her head, tossing it to land on a rock nearby.

“Wh-what are you doing?” Kiran asked, quickly averting his gaze.

Aurora did not answer, turning her attention instead to the pants she wore, tearing at the buttons.

Kiran was on his feet in a moment, protesting, but she ignored him, pushing the pants and undergarments she wore down in one fell swoop. Kiran cursed, spinning to face away from her, much the same way he had at the Rani Delta outside Taraanar when she had been bathing. Aurora had been vulnerable and afraid then, in need of comfort. He had held her together when she felt like a thousand loose threads. His arms had provided a safe place for her to stitch herself back together. And now she intended to return the favor. With his back turned, she deposited her final pieces of clothing on the rocks, and then she went to him.

She started with a hand on his back, finding the place between his shoulder blades where muscles gave way to the straight line of his spine.