"Never mock the Second Sun," she said simply.
Nadir looked as though he would laugh, but he just shook his head. "Come on," he said, closing her book with his foot. "Your tour isn't complete. We've some time before dinner. I can help with the translations later. Besides, some people thought perhaps you should start pulling your weight around here," he added with a wink.
"Oh really?" she mocked, knowing it was a joke. "What task do your people have for me?"
"Thinking you'd be great at shaking fruit out of trees," he bantered.
She frowned. "Shaking fruit out of trees?"
"Yeah—“ he reached for her arm and held it up as they walked down the steps “—You've strong arms. And these thighs—“ his gaze traveled over her, and he let out a low whistle “—they're powerful enough to kick the tree over if you needed to."
"Sounds excessive," she replied.
"You might enjoy it," he said as they hit the beach.
His people were preparing the long tables and greeting each other after a day's hard work for dinner together as they always did. But Nadir was taking her in the opposite direction towards the river, and she knew he was heading for the food forest. He'd been so proud talking about it to her in the days before; she was surprised it took him this long to show her.
With the sunset at her back, Nyssa soaked in the remaining bit of its warmth while they walked, relishing that lilac and orange glow rippling off the clouds, the streaked cerulean of the calm ocean beside them.
Just like the eyes he stared at her with when he turned and began walking backward.
He lifted her hand to his lips, swallowing when he kissed her knuckles, and then he paused before her.
"What?" she asked.
"I'm trying to memorize this moment," he said. "This sunset. This setting light reflecting off your hair. My home behind you. The fifty-three freckles on your cheeks—“
She couldn't help her smile, remembering how he'd counted them after the banquet.
"They’re really popping out today," he said, his tone changing as he squinted at her cheeks. "I think... There are new ones. I'll have to count again tonight."
A lone laugh escaped her. "Show me your food forest, Commander," she said before he could say anything else that would have her knees weakening.
His hand wrapped around her cheek, and he kissed her, sending her heart fleeing. Deep enough that she had to grab onto his sides to hold herself steady, and for a moment, she forgot they were exposed on the beach for all his people to see.
If his words didn't have her falling over her own feet, his mouth certainly would.
When he pulled back, he continued to hold her in place. "Dammit, you're beautiful," he cursed beneath his breath as he pushed her hair back. "I don't think I realized how much more breathtaking you would be standing here on my beach," he added.
She scoffed, cursing her own heart for its erratic pace. "Everyword that comes out of your mouth," she mocked, to which he laughed and hung his head. "All of them. I'm starting to wonder if these women who glare at me truly hate me because of who I am or because they're all your ex's."
"Actually, I only have one ex," he admitted as they started walking again, his hand holding onto hers. "But I will not deny the string of unrequited lovers I have just as you do," he added. "Most of them are of other races, though. Being Commander... I've tried to keep that life separate from the people I protect."
"And the one ex? What happened? Did you love them?"
Nadir eyed her playfully. "That’s a lot of questions, Princess."
"Curiosity slayed the dragon," she said of her and her brother's words. The recollection of such a phrase made her stomach knot, and she held onto Nadir a little tighter as they came upon the river.
Nadir squeezed her hand, apparently having felt the shift. "I thought I loved her," he admitted. "But, she only ever saw me as this image I couldn't live up to."
"What do you mean?" she asked when he helped her over the stepping stones.
"I mean, she didn't allow me to have flaws. At any sign of weakness, she would talk down to me. Tell me true Commanders shouldn't show such things."
"Not even just to her?"
"Especially not to her."
