She sighed. Circled her horse close to his, until their knees touched. “What does your commander say about you riding off like this?”

“It doesn’t matter. I’ll quit the Talons.” He reached for her hand. Drew her in, both leaning in their saddles until their faces hovered a breath apart.

“No, you won’t.” Gently, she untangled her hand from his. Cupped his cheek instead, and rested her forehead against his. In the back of her mind, she heard his words, the last time they were on the road together. For as long as I could remember, I wanted to serve Kolonya. “Your place is here, Vidal. Being one small piece of something greater, remember? I won’t let you give that up for me.”

“I can do both. Serve the Talons and aid your mission. You’re an ambassador now, you’d be entitled to a Talon escort if you asked for one.” He slid his hand around the back of her neck, tilted his head. “I could stay with you.” Their lips brushed together.

This time, when he kissed her, it was soft. Slow. The fire didn’t leap through her, but kindled slowly. Built and built until she’d run her hands through his hair, gripped tight and parted her mouth to kiss him back, burning inside.

Already she missed this. His touch, his scent, his kisses. Him.

But when they parted, she forced a smile. “You wouldn’t be able to truly commit to either me or the Talons if you split your loyalties like that. I can’t do that to you. You’re the kind of Talon Kolonya needs, Vidal.” Her smile ached at the edges, just like her heart. This was harder than she thought it would be. “Frankly,” she added, “I know you’ll do a lot more good here than you would gallivanting through the desert with me.”

Deep down, she knew this was the right decision. Even if it hurt.

Their horses shifted under them, antsy. Vidal stilled his. Looked away. She pretended not to notice the pain in his eyes. “I love you, Zofi,” he told the grass under their feet. Unable to look at her.

Her throat ached. She made herself grin. “Don’t be so dramatic.” But her eyes must have given her away, because when he met them, he smiled, too.

“I guess we both understand loyalty now, hmm?”

She laughed, remembering their first argument in the streets of Kolonya. Both of them shouting about who understood loyalty best. “I guess we do.”

He kissed her, one last time, and it reminded her all over again what she’d be leaving behind. Fire that sizzled along her nerves, crying for more. They drew apart, her breath came short, and every part of her body ached with desire.

“Goodbye, Zofi,” he murmured.

She shook her head. Grinned. “I’ll see you around, Vidal.”