Lion Head Mesa you're like a parasite, but you keep me alive

<3

for some time, senmut did not leave. he laid close, hovering in the land between sleep and wakefulness.

when her breathing smoothed, his too slowed.

here he was no royal, no high priest; here, with her, senmut was only a mud-stained boy from aswan, fellahin to his very essence.

an equal. a lesser.

at last, he reluctantly drew away and laid a paw upon her coverlet, gently.

"i will be back tomorrow," he told tavina at the door, glancing back once more at nazli before he strode down the corridor, heart heavy.

but he would return, each day, as she regained her strength.