Chebi glowed with the city alit with orange torches and fires, lighting the way for people of the caravans to rest, eat, and trade. The sight of it alone was a welcome one for weary travelers, especially for the likes of their party. Mara trudged from behind, constantly monitoring if anyone was following them, while also keeping eyes ahead. Jessamine led the pack, as usual. Her brother followed closely behind, occasionally engaged in small talk with her but he never once looked back, unlike his sister who kept her eyes on Kaid.

Kaid walked through the middle, clearly struggling from Mara’s perspective. This was no stroll along the soft black Vitross sands. The dunes made it hard to gain good traction and he only had one proper arm to keep him steady when he slipped. The gait which he walked was borderlining exhaustion, so Mara quickened her pace to catch up to him.

“Are you doing okay?” she asked softly, seeing him perk up slightly at the question.

“Yeah, I’m okay. We are almost there,” he nodded, motivating himself to keep pushing.

“Did you and Jessamine…talk?” she had paused, wondering how to best word her inquiry.

“We did. Wasn’t that the point about lying about being squeamish? You were never the type to fuss over blood or gore,” Kaid answered with slight amusement.

“Gore and blood are different when it comes from someone you care about,” Mara retorted, “So, did you guys make up?”

“We apologized, yes.”

“We? What did you have to apologize about?” she scoffed slightly. Why would he apologize for something he hadn’t done? Then again, he seemed to lose all rationality when around her, that much was certain. Kaid could seem weak around her, weak minded that is. It wouldn’t surprise Kaid to be the kind of man to apologize for something, when he did nothing wrong, to avoid contention. Yet, he was also a man to take accountability whenever he could. What would that mean if the world charged him for the Time Paradox?

“I nearly killed her in Caladin. I let my anger get the better of me,” Kaid answered, not hesitating. The guilt he felt at such an admittance merely radiated from his chopped off hand. That was where all his guilt and shame resided.

Mara paused, thinking he was joking, “You never told me that.”

“I figured it wasn’t important,” he hummed.

“She was there in Caladin with you? I thought you went alone.”

After seeing what he had done to Mattias (rightfully so), and especially now after the train…did Mara have anything to worry about if she ever angered him?

“Yes, at first I thought she arrived to stop me from obtaining the answers I needed. If anything, those answers revealed Payne’s plot against not just me, but her as well. I didn’t realize it at the time but she came merely to help me. She came because she promised to help me destroy that place,” he muttered, “and I betrayed her just as she betrayed me.”

Clearly, if what he said was true, which Mara believed…then Jessamine certainly did have a reason to be wary of him. Yet, she didn’t seem to act like such when they talked earlier before this long hike. Kaid even offered Jessamine his boots since she wore no shoes, which she politely declined given they were far too big for her. While the trust had been broken, it was clear both of them were trying to mend it. Time, time and patience might be the glue they needed.

Their betrayals at the time stung one another like a nail puncturing their hearts. Now, it was nothing more than a beesting with forgiveness as the answer.

“How are you not angry about your hand?” Mara finally asked. Kaid didn’t look at Alec with any malice. He bore that same inquisitive expression, eyes finding ways to study the Empress’ brother. Kaid questioned how and why Alec was here, especially why now. But there was no anger.

“Who says I am not?”

“You clearly are not angry at him. You should be.”

“I am angry, but not at him. I would have done the same if the roles were reversed,” he disagreed. He glanced over at Mara, seeing her shiver slightly with the now cold desert air. She had a look of worry in her eyes, and not just for the friend next to her.

“I am sure Kai is fine. If Sabine is not watching over him, then certainly Kiev is. He wouldn’t let anything happen to your son,” Kaid assured her.

“I know. I just hate how he has to see all of this, this war and hate,” Mara whispered, “you know he doesn’t hate you, right?”

“That remains to be seen,” Kaid teased softly, not too bothered by it.

“He looks up to you, in an oddly jealous kind of way. He wishes he had your discipline, your handsome looks, this confidence you exhume without even trying…all of it. He doesn’t know who he wants to be,” Mara explained.

“It took me over thirty years to find that out. He will find his own path, one hopefully much better than mine,” Kaid smiled at her, “Are you thinking of taking Jessamine’s offer?”

“Of course. Are you thinking of coming with us?” She glanced at him, knowing his answer varied. If he answered yes, then surely he and Jessamine had made up, not just forgiven each other. But behind those dark shadowed brown eyes, she saw hesitation. Kaid didn’t know how he’d cope without Mara or Jessamine at his side, very different women, but very outspoken, beautiful, and intelligent ones at that. He’d miss their laughs or snarky remarks.

He just didn’t feel like he’d deserve either of them.

When they arrived at Chebi, the party’s rough looking appearance was already catching a few eyes of the citizens going about their nightly strolls. Jessamine slowed before tugging at Kaid’s arm, seeing her brother glare at the sight.

“Ready for some improvising?” she asked, seeing a slight smile on his lips. When was he not?

The two were both quick on their feet when called to action, and maybe both witty in conversation. Any improvisation between them particularly in conversations felt planned out in advance, so natural and smooth. They complimented each other well, something quite important in any relationship.

Jessamine pulled him along gently, Kaid faking a limp with his other leg. The citizens all had worry in their eyes at the disheveled strangers, one of them eagerly pointing towards the mountainside for the local inn. Once there, it was clear the rooms built into the mountain rocks were nearly full.

A lively city and a nearly full inn were all great signs that trade was good, optimistically good. Another functioning railroad and it would only flourish. Good thing she had two built for such emergencies.

“I’m sorry it is late, but do you happen to have a few rooms? My husband and I were attacked by raiders on our way here. We lost practically everything but we have money,” Jessamine asked the innkeeper, who was just about ready to store his books and lock keys to close for the night. When he glanced over, he saw a woman with a torn dress, tangled cherry hair, next to a man with blood covering almost every inch of him.

“Yes, yes of course. I only have three rooms. There is a bathing pool also in the last room on the right. Please, make yourself at home,” he nodded, worry still in his shocked eyes.

“Thank you,” Kaid forced a small smile, seeing Jessamine move slightly to pull gold from her pockets.

“Are you alright, my friend? They cut your hand off?” the shopkeeper gazed at Kaid, clearly Uhkhtarian. He almost seemed excited at the prospect of Kaid marrying someone not from Uhkhtar, and a rather beautiful woman at that.

“Yes. They assaulted my wife. When I fought to protect her they cut off my hand. My friends here were just enough to scare them off. We were lucky to make it out alive,” Kaid lied. Jessamine immediately felt a wave of butterflies hit her stomach at the way Kaid said wife and glanced at her. It was all just pretend.

“These raiders have gotten so brazen, it’s no wonder why most view us and our people as barbaric,” the shopkeeper sighed, knowing it made his people and country look bad.

Alec made a soft, amused hum at the statement, almost as if he agreed with it. Jessamine was about to glare back before feeling Kaid’s hand rest firmly against her opposite hip, not wanting any spat to ruin their act. She felt the warm callouses scratch her skin, his hand placed perfectly between ripped fabric to have skin on skin. Immediately, she could sense a glimmer of frustration from her brother, who was witnessing Kaid take his ‘role’ of pretend husband too far.

“This should be enough,” the man nodded at the coins, handing them three keys, “I recommend tomorrow you stay and write to the Shurta if possible. She really needs to start investigating these acts. If Shailud doesn’t do something…”

The man trailed off slightly, not wanting to discuss his disgruntled politics here. It was an opinion that the others would agree with, unbeknownst to him.

“Thank you,” Jessamine thanked him one more time, handing one key to Mara and to Alec, narrowing her eyes slightly at her brother, “our experience will certainly never sway us away from how generous and friendly your people are.”

“I could have pretended to be your husband,” Alec noted, seeing Jessamine disagree.

“Returning to ancient royal Vitross customs of marrying in the family, I see,” Kaid jested. Mara and Jessamine laughed, which didn’t appease Alec who remained silent. Alec clearly was not interested in any humor at the moment. His room was first down the caves. He was going to ask Jessamine to at least stay with him, given she’d have to share a bed but hesitated. She was too obsessed with helping Kaid…a man responsible for this entire mess. Instead, he went to his room without saying goodnight.

Jessamine helped Kaid into the room, which was nothing but cavern walls with a small bed made of pillows, a table to the side with some chairs. It was homely, perfect for a nice resting point.

“Why don’t you rest a bit? I’m going to go help Mara shop for some new clothes and some medicine for you,” Jessamine guided him over to the bed, immediately bending down to his boots to untie the laces. Kaid was about to retort he could untie his own damn laces…but knew she was only trying to help.

“You sure? What if it gets dangerous?” Kaid asked.

“Do you think the both of us can’t handle our own?” Jessamine asked with a tease in her eyes, “I’ll help you clean up when I get back.”

She turned to leave, but not before feeling a tug of her hand back to him. She didn’t think twice about his actions, leaning down against him, lips pressing eagerly to his own.

“Be safe,” he whispered as he pulled away, knowing any longer and he’d want to spend this evening with her as his distraction, the medicine to cure all his ailments.

She offered a warm smile, walking back outside and closing the door to lock. She immediately forced herself to wipe that smile as Mara came back after dropping off her small supply pack. The two women were still wary of each other. Jessamine knew Mara held no romantic feelings towards Kaid. However, Jessamine knew if she had ever wronged him, again, Mara would be the first one to lash out.

They shopped around, finding cheap fabrics and clothes to merely get them out of the desert for the day. If they left Chebi with reliable transportation, they should arrive in Kanaf by the late afternoon, so it didn’t matter what clothes they had. As long as they blended in and didn’t stick out like they did now, that’s what mattered.

“I’m sorry Mara…I don’t think I know much about you,” Jessamine spoke apologetically, “Kaid only shared about Caladin and such, but not much about your past prior.”

Mara was surprised at Jessamine wanting to get to know her, but figured she should learn about Jessamine’s character too from her own lips (and not from a very biased Kaid), “I’m from Nissau, a tribal community in the jungles of Skale. You probably haven’t heard of it like most people unless you live around the region. It was one of the reasons why in Caladin that Kaid and I got along…he had read about the history in a book there of all places. Half of it was wrong but it helped us bond. He was quick to make corrections.”

“You’re right, I’ve never heard of it,” Jessamine was fascinated. Just like Kaid, she liked learning new cultures or ways of thinking around this Continent. It was so vast, and while she ruled a good portion of it, she still wanted to know more about the societies surrounding her. It was clear that Mara still held some of that tribal instinct in her way of leadership. Mara had attempted to make the Confederacy almost tribal-like and unified, but unfortunately everyone in that tribe had their own interests in mind.

“It was strict. Too strict, some would say. The one thing about their laws is a lack of forgiveness,” Mara sighed, handing Jessamine a pair of boots that seemed her size, “no Oblivion. That was a strict rule. They thought it to be a vile curse, and anyone who used it would be banished. I was hunting with my sisters when a jaguar wanted our prey we just captured. I shot a flame at it to keep it from gnawing at my younger sister’s leg or worse maul her to death.”

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

Which meant she was banished. That much was clear to Jessamine.

“I’m sorry,” Jessamine empathized.

“If you think you have sibling issues, at least yours didn’t turn you in,” Mara scoffed. She had saved them all, and in turn was immediately betrayed because of fear. She had concealed her ability to control fire all her life, which is why she thought Caladin would have been a piece of cake. She was quickly proven wrong. “After I left, I joined a group of mercenaries who didn’t care about my powers, in fact they welcomed it. We protected Skale farming lands from rival Lungor farms just nearby. I may have caught those Lungorian crops on fire by ‘mistake’, and the rest is history.”

As much as it pained Mara, she didn’t let it consume her. If anything, Jessamine was grateful to hear her history. Her family, her tribe, were wrong. Just like Lungor and Caladin, even parts of Vitross. Oblivion wasn’t wrong. It wasn’t a sign of end times or annihilation. The Time Paradox may have fed that very thesis but Jessamine would prove it wrong. People like her, Mara, Kaid…the rest who tried to use it for good, it would be proven wrong. Mara had a real reason to teach at the Oblivion Academy, knowing all too well the cost of fear.

“Jessamine, I think-no, I want to take up your offer. If it is still on the table,” Mara spoke, almost as if reading Jessamine’s mind.

“Of course it is. We would love to have you as a teacher. Kai will definitely love Vitross,” Jessamine replied with a warm smile, “And…thank you. I never got the chance to thank you. I know you helped in the fight with Payne, and you helped ease Kaid back into good health.”

“He’d do the same for any of us,” Mara stated, seeing the Empress nod, “I never apologized for…you know, wanting to assassinate you, making your life hell.”

“It kept me on my toes,” Jessamine smirked, “No hard feelings.”

“I’m not wrong about many things. But, I was wrong about you,” Mara admitted. Jessamine wanted to refute that, but she knew in truth Mara was, ironically, right about being wrong. Jessamine was different from whatever picture had been painted by Payne’s schemes. While it probably held some truth to it, Jessamine knew it was no longer her real truth. Was she a murderer, seductress, conspiring despot to rule the Continent in its entirety? Yes. Was that her now?

No.

—---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

He’s here. He’s here. He’s here. He’s here. He’s here. He’s here. He’s here. He’s here.

Kaid woke up in a panicked exhale, rising from the bed to find Jessamine overlooking him with a worried gaze. He could tell immediately by his sore throat and sweat dripping down from his curls it was another nightmare. That same woman was back. He never saw her again after the vision of getting his hand cut off, and now she was back with different words this time. Who was she talking about? Shailud? Pestilence? Alec?

Or perhaps Kaid’s final act, crazed personality that he felt could doom this world?

“Who’s here?” Jessamine asked gently regarding his words, “Did you have a vision?”

“I…I don’t know,” Kaid whispered, “Sorry, I…Mara says I mumble in my sleep.”

“You do, but never that clearly before and so rapidly…at least, before the Time Paradox,” Jessamine sat beside him, her hand brushing his forehead which burned against her skin, “You’re running a fever.”

“I’m okay,” he assured her.

“Your wound could be infected,” Jessamine sighed, letting her hand caress his cheek, “let’s get you cleaned up. I made sure a bath was ready for you.”

“Jess you should rest, I don’t need help,” he gently refused, hoping that wouldn’t upset her.

“You will need help getting dressed,” she refuted. As much as he’d hate to admit, that left hand no longer being there changed things. There would be plenty of mundane activities or things he could no longer do, not without difficulty. Getting dressed, cutting into food, even sailing would prove difficult.

Kaid could see there was no persuading her.

Jessamine helped him to the small bathing area, which was only a large wooden tub filled with lukewarm water before she locked the doors for some privacy. She immediately walked over to Kaid, undoing the wrap of his injury before lifting his kaftan very carefully over his head. She didn’t want it to get stuck on his wound and cause further pain. Relief filled her inner thoughts, seeing his beautiful mocha chest with a fine layer of his thick curly hairs. But there was no time to spend gawking at him, not with the cold windchill.

Kaid moved his hand down to adjust his belt, struggling slightly with it as Jessamine waited patiently to see if he needed help. He didn’t. But he struggled with the only button that fastened his pants, which Jessamine moved to undo with ease, sliding it down to his ankles. She let him finish the rest, turning away as he grew nude before he slowly entered the tub to cover up her lust for him. Once he seemed well soaked, other than his hand, she grabbed a sponge and stool to sit behind him and help wipe the grime away.

“You don’t think I’m crazy, do you?” Kaid asked after long moments of silence, enjoying the odd sensation of her gently brushing blood off his skin.

“I suppose we’re all a little crazy,” Jessamine teased, before seeing he wasn’t, “No. Why do you think you’re crazy?”

“What I did in Caladin…”

“What’s crazy is someone imprisoning an innocent child and letting them suffer for thirty years. That is crazy. That is insanity. Not you,” Jessamine refuted.

“I feel crazy,” he admitted, “not…not that delirious anger I felt before and during Caladin. But, something different. Something happened after the Paradox. When I had died, I went to this place, like a black and violet void. A place that looked like the sky just before sunrise. I spoke with my mother. I can still speak to her in my sleep. I don’t know if it’s real or in my head.”

Jessamine listened, trying not to worry but she had faith that he wasn’t crazy. She remembered the days when she felt herself teetering towards this edge, towards this craze of constant Oblivion. She relied on it too much that it became an addiction. Kaid didn’t know what this was, and was clearly afraid to use it. Although, it sounded like he didn’t have much of a choice.

“Is that what your nightmare was about tonight? Were you speaking to her?” Jessamine asked softly, scrubbing the back of his shoulders while her other hand tangled in his wet, thick curls.

“No, a stranger. I can speak to strangers too. It’s like they wait for me, plague me,” he whispered, realizing how crazy it sounded.

“It’s not crazy,” Jessamine whispered, “has it ever happened outside your sleep, this purple void? Can you go there by choice?”

Kaid almost refuted and answered no, but then he remembered riding that horse to the train. He didn’t even realize he had done that until he thought about it now. His sole focus had been on getting to that train and helping Jessamine that he didn’t think much about what he had done. It was pure instinct, like most Oblivion was.

“Last night was the first time I was wide awake,” he hummed, feeling almost a bit of relief at that.

Jessamine placed the sponge aside, tilting his head back to lean against the edge before she ran shampoo through his curls, massaging his skull. Kaid didn’t know how the hell a woman running her nails through his hair and skull could feel so…oddly enjoyable. But he supposed it had all to do with the woman doing it and not the sensation itself.

She hesitated for a moment, but figured it was best to tell him, “Cadize told me you never died. Your heart never stopped beating. It got close, as if there were wide gaps in between beats of your heart, but it never truly stopped. You didn’t die. This void, I don’t think it is your hell or your heaven. It might not be your afterlife. To me, it sounds like you awoke something in your Oblivion, you unlocked something new.”

“It’s like…looking into a mirror, but instead of myself I see someone else watching me. With my mother, it’s like someone overlooking me, guiding me invisibly.”

“And this stranger?” she asked.

“Someone warning me...I suppose”

“Does it tire you, when it happens when you sleep?” she inquired, wondering if it exhausted him the very same those nightmares would.

“No, luckily not. It’s like I’ve entered an altered state,” Kaid explained before laughing, “now, that sounds crazy.”

“No. It just sounds like you’re a very special man with a new ability to learn and figure out,” Jessamine amused him, “embrace it. Don’t obsess over it, but do not ignore it. You must accept it is a part of you, but it is not all of you.”

Jessamine’s thoughts ranged from what he discussed with his mother. How much had they talked about? She was happy for him, to get this relationship even if it felt like a facade with someone he barely knew. What did Farah think of her son’s lover? She felt a twinge of worry and self-doubt, knowing that her own mother would be ecstatic at finding love with a man like Kaid. It made her feel pathetic, pale in comparison to him.

Kaid opened his eyes after she washed his hair, seeing that concerned look on her face. Her worry was not unnoticeable, and he felt horrible for rambling about himself without asking how she was doing. She must be exhausted, and now she has to worry over him or assist him all the time. That made him extremely burdensome to an Empress with plenty of things to do, and plenty of things on her mind.

“Are you alright?” he asked, turning his body slightly to face her entirely.

“I’m fine,” she lied, averting his gaze as she began trying to focus on recleaning his wound. He pulled his arm away slightly, keeping it above the water and seeing her reaction.

“I thought we wouldn’t hide things from each other,” he whispered, not shaming her, but just trying to encourage her, “we’re both in this mess together. I want to know where your head is at, if you’ll let me.”

Jessamine sighed, taking a deep breath before nodding in agreement, “Alec is back and cut off your hand, how the fuck do you think I’m feeling?”

“He didn’t do it on purpose-”

“Doesn’t matter. If Mara had burned me, would you say the same thing?” Jessamine asked, seeing Kaid sit in silence, “I don’t know why he’s here now. I don’t know what he wants. I…it’s so hard to know who he is anymore. Parts of him are still reminiscent of the Alec I knew growing up, but there’s this part of him so foreign to me.”

“It’s like sailing on a ship you used to as a kid, now you sail with it again and it’s been upgraded. The rigging is the same, the equipment is different. Yet, at the end of the day it’s still the same ship,” Kaid explained for her.

“Something like that, yeah,” Jessamine nodded, hating herself she had lied about being okay. He always would seem to see right through her. He always knew what to say, even if it rambled with figurative speech or metaphors. It always brought her this comfort, knowing that even if he could never fully understand her circumstances, he’d wish to know enough to help whenever he could.

“I’m assuming he’s working with Lungor?” Kaid asked.

“Nailed it on the head, yes. Apparently working undercover with Vrah on dealing with Pestilence. That appears to add up, given Vrah was rather concerned about Pestilence, more than he was with Shailud. Alec said they had a plan to use him as leverage if I ever broke our fragile alliance. I’m sure whenever they figured out his Oblivion, they certainly recruited him instead.”

“Which is…?” Kaid asked, wondering if she’d tell him. He supposed knowing another person’s Oblivion was none of his business. But if they were going to work together, even if momentarily, it wouldn’t hurt to know.

“He can track Oblivion, like a bloodhound almost. Alec didn’t think it was a very powerful Oblivion, so he focused more on his fighting skills and ability to rule over everything else. I’m sure, though, it has its unforeseen uses,” Jessamine explained, finishing unwrapping the cloth before grabbing the small container of healing cream. While it might not help with the infection, hopefully it could numb some of his pain.

“So…that’s how he knew I was in that cave, how he got past Mara so quickly. He could smell me,” Kaid hummed, knowing he’d have to bring that up to Mara if it would lessen her guilt at not being quick enough.

“You know, it’s a bit rude to use that to stare at me, especially when I looked so disheveled,” she teased before frowning, “I’m sorry, darling, this might hurt.”

She applied the cream very gently, brushing a thin layer over the open wound. It did look better than earlier today, but she knew it wouldn’t be completely healed until Cadize could get his hands on it. Kaid let out a firm grunt, causing Jessamine to pause and let her other hand move his neck, caressing it softly.

It seems we stood and talked

Like this before

We looked at each other

In the same way then

But I can't remember

Where…or when

Her voice held a soft hoarseness from the dry air and exhaustion of the day, but still held this beautiful melody that soothed any pain Kaid was feeling. Her voice was always calm. Even on her first night Caladin, while there had been a small sense of fear of the unknown in her voice, she always had a way to steady herself. Kaid knew that despite everything, he felt safe with her. Even with her lies, her betrayal, her willfulness to hide the truth from him, those actions were done out of safety.

“You should sing more often…” he encouraged softly, his eyes softening as he looked at her.

“I suppose I didn’t have much courage until recently. I’ve always wanted to be heard, I just never knew how. All those times playing piano for you gave me a bit of bravery,” she explained, looking up to see that loving look in his eyes.

He looked at her like she was perfect, which was far from the truth. Surely, it was just biased infatuation making him think so. Yet, Jessamine couldn’t ignore the way it made her feel. It must be the same way she looked at him. He was perfect. He was utterly handsome, charming, wise…always knew how to make her smile, laugh, or moan. He was strong, yet gentle. Protective, but also encouraged her independence. He was clumsy but never careless.

“Stop looking at me like that,” Jessamine laughed, grabbing a towel to wipe her hands of that cream. When she glanced back, he was still looking at her with the same expression, only with a bit of a smile.

“Or what?” he asked.

She hadn’t been looked at like that in over two years. She had not been touched with fervent need or desire like that in the same long period of time. Any man may attempt to try to make her feel the same way, but it was impossible. There was no moving on from Kaid Al-Yami. He would always exist in a secluded part of her heart and soul.

The same was for him, with his big, ever forgiving heart. She was perfect. Her voice, her eyes…the way she carried herself. If all the drudgery in her life had stopped her, she never would hold her head up high like she did now. Her perseverance was her greatest strength. Kaid craved her touch. He craved touching her, wanting to make her feel like the most divine entity to be worshiped endlessly. It was her imperfections that only made her feel so perfect. Perfect for him.

“If you don’t stop, I’m afraid I might have to jump into that bath…” she whispered, her lips curving into a devious smirk.

“This is a public bath, you know,” Kaid pointed out, but didn’t change his gaze.

“At this hour? You’re right, it’s late. We should be getting some rest,” she rose from her stool, feigning interest in getting another towel for him across the room. But she immediately glanced back and knew it was too late. Far too late. Her blue eyes glanced at the door, her ears listening in the silence for any sound of other movements. Nothing but the wind was awake at this hour.

Her hands moved to the nearly torn zipper of her dress, brushing her tied up hair away before getting it just loose enough to push down. She did so turned away from him, feeling his burning gaze, especially on all the parts of her she knew he loved. Jessamine knew how much he loved gazing at her backside, watching the muscles of her shoulders tense or the dip of her spine.

Her heart raced with a burning sensation, her lower regions throbbing with overstimulating, unbearable need. Her own touch had never sated her. Jessamine doubted his own had fulfilled him either. When she turned back at him, she noticed his hand under the water, angled into his lap. Whether he was hiding his excitement or encouraging it, she wanted nothing more than to replace his hand with her own.

Kaid merely blinked and she was already entering the water, standing in it as her hand tipped his chin up to stare into his eyes. Those loving eyes he held were now mixed with need, overflowing desire for her. His eyes pleaded for her, begging her for her worship.

All rational thoughts left him. They were both in pain and discomfort. They both should rest for a long day tomorrow. Neither knew what the day tomorrow held for each other. To think a mere two days ago, he was questioning if he loved her, if she loved him. All it had taken was one glance to disapprove such a terrible notion.

She was maddening, so much to disprove what she had stated earlier: he was crazy. And well…so was she.