A Strange and Stubborn Endurance (The Tithenai Chronicles #1)

by Foz Meadows

“Yours is a strange and stubborn endurance, Velasin.” And then, more softly still, such that I might almost have imagined it: “Just like your mother’s.”

Maybe I can be angry at him for not giving me any legitimate reasons for anger, I thought, not without a certain bitter irony.

“I’m sorry. I’m not … good, at accepting praise.” “I’ll have to help you practice, then,”

Cae dreamed of Velasin that night, and slept either very well indeed or extremely restlessly, depending on your point of view.

“You must be patient with me, dear Cae, as I learn to inhabit myself.”

Swallowing hard, he said, “You fainted?” “Only a little.” “You fainted.” “Yes.” “Out of the way of a crossbow bolt?” “I am a man,” croaked Velasin, with as much dignity as he could muster under the circumstances, “of many talents.”

“Fuck.” “Not now, dear, I’m busy.”

“You’re ridiculous,” he said, his own smile cracking across his face like pond ice thawed by sunlight. “You utterly ridiculous man, you can’t even stand—” “Lucky for me, then,” Velasin said, looping an arm around Cae’s neck, “that I’ve such a big, strong husband.”