Liath's spirits were very up. Making love again—really making love—and then taking a bath together, plus how considerate and wonderful he was with her... It started to make everything that happened before feel like a bad dream. She knew it wasn't, and it would take a lot longer than just one evening, but she walked the path of healing. Something she hadn't thought she could do. She could see the path home again. All she could do was hope she carried it with her when she inevitably returned.

She smiled at his goofy smile, her heart so full of love. He loved her. She repeated it over and over in her mind and her heart soared at the thought.

Syringa couldn't take that from her.

Liath lounged in the bed and reached for the plate. "It's perfect," she said to him. She ate a couple of bites while he climbed into bed himself and got situated. Once he settled, Liath moved to press her body along the side of his and used his chest as a table for her plate. She propped herself up on her elbow as she ate and looked at him.

"Thank you, Rurik," she whispered. "For not giving up on me. For listening to me. For understanding what I needed." She knew it mustn't have been easy for him.