Lion Head Mesa ho[m]e

She smiled to him and the corners of her eyes creased, her gaunt cheeks plush beneath the pressure of his careful grip in that moment. Something she could not name shifted across his own face, and even if she had wished to ignore it for the sake of the warmth between them Nazli knew better. What is it?

The water shifted as she pulled her chin up, focusing as best she could while her skin thrummed in the aftermath of their love-making. Perhaps he was afraid? But she could not understand what there was to be afraid of — the dangers of Muat-Riya were not likely to follow them here to the grand palace.

Nazli wanted to believe in that so badly.