Startled, Giddon propped himself on an elbow, watching Bitterblue approach. The face she presented to him, gold in the brazier’s light, was full of so many things. Fear. Uncertainty. Determination. “Giddon?” she whispered.

She sounded so frightened as she said his name that he held out his hand, confused. “Yes?”

She put her hand into his. It was small and cold.

“Bitterblue?” he said.

“I’ve been obtuse,” she said.

“Obtuse?”

“Yes,” she said. “For a very long time.”

Giddon understood what was happening. He couldn’t help understanding what was happening. But that didn’t mean he could believe it. “I’ve been a coward,” he said.

“Giddon,” she said, “you’re never a coward. I’m the coward!”

“I’ve been a coward for a very long time,” he said, dropping every defense, pulling her closer. Showing her his tears, and bringing her hand to his lips.

She let out one small breath. Then she knelt by his bed and reached her hand to his face, turned her own face up to his, and he could not believe their lips were touching, that he was actually kissing her perfect, soft lips. “I may be about to faint again,” he said.

“Well, I like your scratchy beard on my face,” she said, then climbed into the bed with him and began nuzzling his throat. The blood was most definitely rushing away from Giddon’s head. When he told her this, she said, “Where do you suppose it’s rushing to?” which almost made him shout with laughter.

“Sh!” she said, giggling. “We have to be quiet! I don’t want Hava to hate us in the morning.”

“No, I don’t want that either,” he said, still laughing, kissing her. “I can be quiet. But, Bitterblue, slow down, just a little. We have all the time in the world.” And really, truly, he was dizzy, and completely overwhelmed. A miracle was happening and he felt like he was missing it.

Out of nowhere, she burst into tears. Her tears turned to sobs and she clung to him, gasping. Instantly he sprang into action, holding her, soothing her, almost a little relieved, because this made sense to him.

“I love you,” she said. “I’m scared of losing you.”

“I know,” he said. “You won’t.”

“You can’t know what’s going to happen! You can’t know what I’m going to do!”

“Yes I can,” he said. “You’re going to be the friend to me that you’ve always been, and I’m going to show you that you’re safe now. We are not going to lose each other. You’re not alone with your fears, Bitterblue. We’re a team now, you see?”

“Hold me very tight,” she said, “please?”

That was easy. He wrapped his arms around her firmly. As her tears quieted, he kissed her hair, and thought a few things through.