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“I’m going to be fine!” Rysn exclaimed in Veden, watching as her partner paced before her.
A year of training in Shardplate had bulked up Cord’s already impressive physique, and now those solidly built shoulders of thick muscle were tense with stress. “You don’t know this thing!”
Exhaling out of her nose, Rysn fought down her frustration, her anger, and focused on her training in negotiations. “Cord, dearest, I’ve been on expeditions before. You may remember, you were there for one.”
“Yes, and on her, you were nearly being killed,” Cord replied flatly.
“Yet, here I sit.” She tapped the bench in her office. “Cord, I cannot hide in here again, just because you’ll be busy at Urithiru for a few weeks. I won’t. And I won’t have you treating me like I am some sort of fragile plaything.” She hoped her tone conveyed both the steel with which she made such a pronouncement, and the warmth she felt from seeing just how much Cord cared.
The Unkalaki woman strode over, kneeling before Rysn so they could see eye to eye. “I did not mean… I know, you are strong.” A toothy smile slowly spreading over her copper cheeks, Cord continued, “Perhaps, I am the only one who knows just how strong.”
“Then trust me, please. I promise, I’ll be careful. I’ll come back to you.” Reaching out a hand, Rysn cupped her lover’s cheek, running a thumb against the bridge of her nose, the swell of her lips.
“Swear it, then.”
“I swear it.”
“On the mafah'liki.”
“I swear on the spren, on your gods.”
“On the Passions.”
“I swear on the Passions.” Rysn had to fight back a giggle. She didn’t even believe in the Passions!
“On…” Cord considered, then beamed with satisfaction. “…on our love! With a kiss!”
Someone is just fishing for kisses, Rysn thought, but she had no rancor behind the idea. Leaning in, she let one hand snake around to the back of Cord’s head, gripping a handful of her gorgeous red hair, and kissed her, firm and hard. There was no resistance, Cord melted against her, and did not object to how long Rysn was making this particular promise.
Finally, she came up for air and said aloud, “I swear on our love.”
Cord had no more objections after that.