As Vanator gave his whoop and swept her up in his arms, the woman burst into high-pitched giggles. "Well, it won't be a Strider," she squealed, threading her fingers in his hair as she welcomed his kiss.
When he finally put her back on her feet, she snuggled in against his side and beamed at Khiara. They were the both of them covered in mud - even Van now had a bit smeared on his clothes. It didn't matter what their state; there was more joy to be found in this moment than there was anywhere else in Mizahar. When her husband glanced her way, she read the look in his eye and gave a tiny nod. Let it be now, in joy, when the decision was made.
She watched as Khiara realized what she was being asked, and the wealth of emotions that crossed her face. And quietly, with an understanding smile, she slipped out from under her husband's arm. "Kiss her already," she whispered, gently pushing him toward the other woman. She'd had her moment - now it was Khiara's turn. As it should and would be. They would spend the rest of their lives sharing happiness and sorrow, sharing Vanator, and they would only succeed if the two women learned between them when they needed to let go.
As Khiara could feel joy at Kashik and Vanator's love, the Drykas woman's smile brightened as she folded her arms together and hugged herself tightly, watching the other two find happiness as well.
When he finally put her back on her feet, she snuggled in against his side and beamed at Khiara. They were the both of them covered in mud - even Van now had a bit smeared on his clothes. It didn't matter what their state; there was more joy to be found in this moment than there was anywhere else in Mizahar. When her husband glanced her way, she read the look in his eye and gave a tiny nod. Let it be now, in joy, when the decision was made.
She watched as Khiara realized what she was being asked, and the wealth of emotions that crossed her face. And quietly, with an understanding smile, she slipped out from under her husband's arm. "Kiss her already," she whispered, gently pushing him toward the other woman. She'd had her moment - now it was Khiara's turn. As it should and would be. They would spend the rest of their lives sharing happiness and sorrow, sharing Vanator, and they would only succeed if the two women learned between them when they needed to let go.
As Khiara could feel joy at Kashik and Vanator's love, the Drykas woman's smile brightened as she folded her arms together and hugged herself tightly, watching the other two find happiness as well.
