“Decency is one thing; compassion is another. I haven’t—” He glanced away, jaw working. “I keep prickling at you. Bristling over nothing. You deserve better from a spouse than whatever it is I bring, but you still—” He turned back, expression shaky, and before Cae could so much as brace himself, Velasin leaned up and kissed the corner of his mouth. His lips were soft, and Cae shivered at the contact, tingling all over as Velasin pulled back. He wanted to reach for him, pull him in for a real kiss; could only stare at Velasin’s mouth, lips parted on a shaky exhale.
