It felt like a promise- like the start of something. Tenuous, he reminded himself. People disappeared. If he lost her.. Goddess, but he couldn't be sure he'd have anything to hold him steady. He'd tear off to Taravast, travel for a time in a vain search, then stay in Ellethia if death didn't find him before then, and spend his life working to repair that cycle.

Eleven's arms tightened around her. He prayed to whatever deity might hear him that they could stay together.

He breathed and pressed a kiss into her hair. "I think my mum would have liked you, too."