Lion Head Mesa ho[m]e

"i want you here so fiercely it hurts to breathe, nazli," senmut murmured, the tug of tears behind his voice. "i have ached to be away from you, and yet, and yet! i could not bear to lose you to some tyrant. yes. i believe if i do not act in the way i am obligated to act, you are in danger."

bringing one to heel was an art, and a gilded man such as their Consort would have a thousand thumbscrews which might be put to an artless priest.

her tears stood in the dark. he tasted his own a moment later.