In Van’s embrace, Alec believed he was realizing his deepest longing. Their warmth and the streaming-down sunlight; their breath and the spring breeze through the wide-open barn; the scent, the pleasure of their flesh together. It was glorious, a fulfillment of all of his senses, but Alec, who was favored by love, was mistaken about the depth of the feeling. He would one day know a joy even deeper, when he would accept not only another’s embrace, but his mind and spirit as well, and give himself in return.
