“Your Highness.” Whisper offers the dagger hilt-first to Julien. “Take this.” Julien covers Whisper’s hand on the hilt, without taking the dagger. He touches Whisper’s cheek, and Whisper leans subtly into his palm. “Hey, kitten,” Julien says, and angles down to offer a kiss. He feels the moment Whisper’s reserve shatters, and the kiss in return is desperately sweet. Iron and earth. Salt and sky. Finally, Julien’s heart settles behind his ribs.
