It was unusually cold in Oba, so cold that even the tavern where Kitya worked as Nagini closed earlier than usual since not many dared to venture out from the comfort of their warm homes. Kitya had also opted to spend the unusual weather inside, but the place where she was currently soaking up some warmth was not her own small suite in the Oban apartment complex. Instead she was curled up against another body on a velvet chaise just large enough for two with a blanket draped over her legs and with Nathial’s arm around her waist. They had moved the chaise into the small kitchen of his private apartment, the pair using a fire that Kitya had placed in the oven there for even more warmth. At first she had teased Nathial about going out to play in the snow, but after a few rounds of making small animal snow figures from the light dusting the city had received the pair had opted to retreat inside to enjoy some warm snacks and each other’s company more. And now here they were just lounging in the kitchen with Kitya trying to read a journal even as Nathial kept tugging her back against him. “Do you ever just stop and enjoy the moment?” Nathial remarked as he peered around Kitya so that he could read over her shoulder.

Kitya simply laughed as she attempted to flip another page despite his protests. “Funny coming from someone who is a known workaholic. How long is a moment for you anyways? Was the entire morning roaming around in the snow and then coming back here note enough? Last time I checked it’s usually me who pulls you away so that you can relax.” She smiled even as she felt sudden kisses along her upper back, the Oban retreating once he had been called out by his companion so that he could try to distract her in other ways. “That’s not going to work either. I’m really trying to study up so that I can understand Oba more.”

“Nearly three years and still struggling to understand Obans even after exploring all of this one?” Nathial teased in return even as Kitya managed to flip the page finally. “You could have just moved in with me and allowed me to handle everything instead of working so hard yourself. Why not allow me to be the workaholic for both of us?”

“Because I don’t function like that. It’s the very reason you picked me up in the first place and started chasing me.” Quipped back Kitya as her silver gaze roamed over some of the notes that had been written down by others who worked with them, the Oban code finally registering with her as she learned more from Nathial and those who had intercepted some documents from others. It helped them to learn what some of the scribbles used on the blackmarket meant and the hidden meanings behind other notes that typically involved a mix of actual Oban writing and gibberish. “This would be so much easier if I was a better scholar like my father. He probably would be done with these notes already.” She sighed before finally relenting and placing the leather bound journal back on the floor next to them. “It feels like I’m only good at dancing, and barely that.”

“Not true.” Nathial protested as he stopped trailing kisses along Kitya’s skin so that he could shift and sit up finally. Their shared blanket was still draped along his body, but now he could scoot alongside of the Yaeli so that he could look directly at her. “I know you want to help me more with my business, but I’ve spent years learning these things. It takes time so be more patient and less harsh on yourself, love.” He reached out to tuck a stray curl behind her ear, the affectionate motion accompanied by a gentle expression. “You help plenty and so far you haven’t burned down my home with magic so I would also consider that a win. It’s not like I can go out there and charm others into sharing some of their secrets, as much as I hate watching you do such things…it’s a great help. And maybe one day when things are calmer we can go to Yael so that you can watch me struggle with learning more things there. It’s only fair, no?”

Kitya felt her shoulders drop, the Yaeli slowly nodding her head. “I suppose so. It’s just frustrating, that’s all.” She felt so lacking in comparison to others, that confidence from her childhood was lost in the sea of confusion that had encircled her family and her life. But at least she had found some support in this foreign desert, and even with the bitter cold outside she couldn’t ignore the warmth that spread in her chest at the sight of those ruby eyes. It was enough to make her lean forward to capture his lips for a kiss so that she could once more enjoy the moment, the Yaeli opting to focus on the rest later.

[853]