“I have decided to return,” her voice was shaking, and every word was a struggle but she kept going. “I think I would like to see where this goes. Did I use the idiom correctly?”

“Yes, you did.” He took the empty glass from her hand and stood her up before pulling her in and pressing his forehead to hers. “Thank you, sweet Ardala. I-“

She kissed him, gently as he always kissed her and allowed the bond to unseal to pour nervous hope and want and ...