Blacktail Deer Plateau i surrendered to their fragrance

no thing nor monster darted from the shadows to accost them; merrick soon grew bored of the darkness and moved into a clearing drenched with sunglow. here he cast himself down in the grass, writhing with some excess of passion against it. astara was given a fond look; how had he ever lived without her?
and silent though she was, and silent though he was content to be with her, merrick's lips curved in a true smile. "i love you," he whispered from where he lay in the glade, having grown quite still as his eyes roved with a lover's gleam over her impassive features.