Chapter 40
The fatalistic thought was stuffed down deep in the dark, where it couldn’t take root in his mind. Selati reached over and cupped his lover’s cheek, instead. “Aleledai, we must get ready.”
Aleledai groaned but shimmied out of their bednest, and stretched, bones crackling from neck to tail tip. Once done, Aleledai turned to him, the worry back in his eyes but with a small smile for him. “You will come back here after. That is not a request.”
“On your orders, Commander.” Selati returned the smile with one of his own. “I would hate to disobey.”
“Good.” His lover turned serious. “I couldn’t bear to lose you.”
“You won’t lose me today, my All.” Selati felt wrong for the promise, but he had to give Aleledai something to hold close.
One last press of lips, they didn’t have time for more, and they went out into the dawn light together.
“I love you.”
Aleledai smiled, joy lighting up his eyes. “As I love you, Selati.”