The woods greeted them like an old friend, familiar and reassuring in spite of the darkness. Aurostibite felt Mintaka leaning against him and once she had shifted back into Durumi, her glamor melting away, he did so as well, and then they were simply together as civilians.

Magiore looked down at her and smiled.

"I will always carry you," he said softly, and it was clear he did not just mean in this moment, at this point in time, or even physically, but mentally as well, emotionally. He reached out and slipped his arms around her, and then Durumi was cradled against his chest, one arm beneath her legs, the other under her back.

"Let's go home, my love," said Magiore, and then he led them both back to the house.

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ur terrible and ilu