***
It was late when Egey Bashi made his way to Arin’s quarters. Her door swung open to let him in, even before he had a chance to knock. She wore no weapons, and as he closed the door behind him she stepped straight into his arms.
They talked very little, and did not sleep at all until the merciless morning sun hit the window panes with the dawn of a new day.
Today, Arin would return to her Guild, to her life of power and glory. Today, Egey Bashi would resume his duties as an Initiate Keeper, trying hard to earn his way up in the ranks.
When they met again—if they did—she may not even remember him. And he would have to learn to live with it.
She stood still as he donned his clothes and made his way to the door. Her face was in shadow and he couldn’t read her expression at all.
“Thank you,” she said. “You taught me a lot about myself in the last two days.”
He smiled. “So have you.”
She stepped into his arms, her lips finding his in a long kiss of goodbye.