Stavanger Bay than a breeze next to this night

There was a beat of silence; honestly, Rosalyn wasn't expecting a response. She was in no hurry to rush Erzulie for words she might not mean, and it wouldn't have bothered her to learn her affection was not returned.  The very nature of the harlot was to ignite without falling themselves, and as Erzulie had said, it was this she preferred.

Instead, she was surprised with even more forwardness than she had offered.  "It is," she confirmed, probably unnecessarily.  But Erzulie had spoken it, so she felt she needed to as well.  She rested her own head across the nape of the other, relishing it.  This would not change much; she too was slow to trust, and even with this, she would not allow for jealousy.  But it changed something.  Finally, she could begin to hope that, at least for a while, Erzulie would remain a feature in her life.  And that was worth everything so far as well as everything to come.