He laughed, pulling her into a fierce embrace. When they parted, she pushed her cloak over her shoulder and laid his hand on the amulet band.
"I make up my mind, Tyrus, and I do not change it, and if you are going to question my loyalty every time we are apart . . ."
"I'm truly, deeply sorry," he said. "If it had been anyone else, I would not have questioned."
"There has never been anything between Gavril and me."
"I know, but . . ."
"Not a look. Not a word. Not a touch. Nor ever a time when I longed for one."
"Yet there is a bond between you. I saw it from the moment we met, and even if you did not think of him in that way, I cannot help feeling that could have changed, that if the possibility had been there . . ."
"It was not."
"But if it had been--" He cut off his own words, kissing her. "No, that isn't a question. Or if it is, I'll not ask it, because it does not matter. The possibility is no longer there. That is what counts. He is your friend. I am your lover. That is enough. More than enough. It's all I want, Moria, and I apologize for the rest. It'll not happen again."
"Good." She looked him in the eye. "I'll never give you any reason to question my loyalty, Tyrus. I expect the same from you."
"You have it. Without question."
She nodded and began to take off his amulet band. He put his hand on hers. "Keep it."
"No, it's--"
"Yours. For as long as I am. When you tire of me, you can give it back."
"Then I don't imagine I ever would."
He pressed his lips to hers. "I'll not argue with that. Now, it looks like Gavril has that tent ready. It's yours for the night."
"I ought not to take--"
"I insist. And I am still a prince, so you must listen. Or at least pretend to." He took her hands and pulled her to him. "If I were to join you--"
"Yes."
He chuckled. "You didn't let me finish."
"It's still yes."
"I was going to qualify that by stating my intentions before I shocked you with the suggestion. But I forgot who I'm speaking to."
"You did. It's yes. And please."
His smile evaporated in a look that sent a shiver through her. Then he pulled her to him and gave her a kiss that made her think they weren't going to make it back to the tent at all.
"Don't tempt me, Moria. I'm going to be honorable."
"Blast it."
He laughed then, loud enough to ring out over the empty plain. "I was going to ask if I might share your tent without the expectation of anything that might normally come with sharing your tent." When she opened her mouth to protest, he put a finger to her lips. "I know you're curious, but I'll not take advantage of that, and I'll not rush." His mouth moved to her ear. "Or you might discover that my experience with girls is not quite as extensive as my reputation suggests. Though I'll trust you to keep that between us."
"Of course."
"Good. Then you will allow me to proceed slowly and explore . . ."
"Yes. Please."