[It's amazing, she thinks, how every time they bare themselves before each other in new ways, the feeling that washes over her is simply comfort. There's no sense of being exposed, no concern over how she'll be received. And none of the dread instilled in her by the Iron Kingdom rises to detach her from the moment. No, here in Clive's arms, all Jill knows is a peace so fulfilling that it casts her in a tingling warmth.
When he sits them down, she shifts so she can hold his head to her chest. Like this, she strokes his hair with a gentleness to rival that of the sea breeze while their tears bring them a sense of catharsis that she's never felt to such depths.
And to think, it's only just the beginning.
Curiosity takes over as Clive pulls the chain out from under his armour; then, as the ring catches the moonlight, realisation strikes her with a force that stays her next breath. He's been planning this long enough to have a ring made – he's been wanting it deep enough to wear that ring around his neck. It's no surprise, but it brings her great pleasure all the same.
The next time he meets her eyes, he'll see nothing but the purest love and a look of delight that puts the joy she'd known in their childhood to shame. The only reason she doesn't start crying afresh is because she's well and truly spent.
She raises her hand. Offers it to him with the ease of an inevitability.]
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When he sits them down, she shifts so she can hold his head to her chest. Like this, she strokes his hair with a gentleness to rival that of the sea breeze while their tears bring them a sense of catharsis that she's never felt to such depths.
And to think, it's only just the beginning.
Curiosity takes over as Clive pulls the chain out from under his armour; then, as the ring catches the moonlight, realisation strikes her with a force that stays her next breath. He's been planning this long enough to have a ring made – he's been wanting it deep enough to wear that ring around his neck. It's no surprise, but it brings her great pleasure all the same.
The next time he meets her eyes, he'll see nothing but the purest love and a look of delight that puts the joy she'd known in their childhood to shame. The only reason she doesn't start crying afresh is because she's well and truly spent.
She raises her hand. Offers it to him with the ease of an inevitability.]
Please do.