AYLETH
When the rush of their lovemaking had passed—and the wave of emotion it had brought over her—they were still laying on the bed together. Her head was on his arm, and his fingertips trailed slowly up and down her spine. It felt so wonderful she wanted to purr.
"I'm sorry I cried," she whispered, embarrassed.
"Don't be. This is overwhelming," he said softly. "I want to weep with it sometimes as well."
"Do you really?" she asked, pulling back far enough to meet his eyes.
He stared down his beautiful nose at her and nodded. Then his eyes cut to her hair where he used his free hand to comb it back from her temple.
"What stops you?" Ayleth persisted.
Etan sighed. "It isn't exactly a warrior's best moment, to be caught weeping like a babe," he said dryly. "But also… I fear giving in to my emotions in that way. Sometimes it feels as if when I do, I will never return from it."
