"Ecaeris." He lifted slightly, so that his eyes could meet mine. "I am very sorry," he said gently.
I nodded the knot in my chest releasing. Forgiveness. "I know. I forgive you."
He sighed and sank back over me. "I have missed you. Not having you with me is like... missing a limb."
I laughed, almost a sob, because had I not used the same comparison to myself for his absence? I wrapped my arms around him and held him tightly, pressing my lips against his face. "I love you, Akyran," I told him, and felt his arms clench around me.
"Ecaeris," he pressed his lips against me. "I love you too."
After a time, we removed the clothing which still clung to us and settled under the covers of the bed, skin to skin. He stroked his fingers through my hair and pressed kisses to the crown of my head as I stroked my hands across the silk of his skin and listened to his heartbeat beneath my ear.
"Where have you been?" he asked at the same time as I said: "You did not marry Ashara."