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I turn my hand beneath hers.

“I’m going to refuse the job,” she says. “I’ll write to the factor. At the hearing I’ll say where I’ve chosen to live, so no one mistakes it for something you arranged.”

“You don’t need to refuse work for me.”

“I know. I’m choosing to stay.”

I pull her against me. Her arms go around my neck, and I bend my face into the loose hair above her ear. I had imagined her returning carefully, with a question I must answer correctly. She is here, holding on while I fail to say anything at all.

“Daurek?”

“Yes.”

“That was the part where I hoped you’d be pleased.”

I kiss her. She laughs into my mouth, then stops laughing and brings me closer.

Her palms stay flat against my chest when the kiss ends.

“I’d like to wake up with you,” she says.

“So would I.”

“Will you tell me about the bond first? I want to know what I’d be choosing.”

I lead her to the broad root where she left her bag. She sits, and I take the moss beside her. I would rather be kissing her. She deserves to hear this while she can ask questions.

“The bond can last our whole lives,” I say. “It would slow your aging toward mine. You might have centuries here.”

“With you.”

“Yes.”

She looks across the grove.

“Asha would still grow old.”

“Yes.”

Vai rubs at a mark on her skirt. “I keep thinking I can leave visiting her until everything here is settled.”

“We can arrange a visit before then.”

“Soon.” She looks back at me. “I’ll ask her when.”

“Would we hear each other’s thoughts?” she asks.

“No. We could feel strong emotions, and know where the other is or whether they’re hurt. Either of us can close that contact.”

“And if I wanted to leave?”

“You could. The bond cannot keep you here. Ending it would require a separate rite with witnesses. Either of us could ask for it. It would hurt, and leave scars, but we would both live.”

She studies my face. “Have you seen that happen?”

“Yes.”

I offer my hand. She takes it and looks down at our fingers together. I let her take as long as she needs.