"Taking you to the bath, obviously. Can't have you walking on these wet floors."
"I'm immortal," she reminded him as he carried her to the tub.
"Better safe than sorry." He set her down carefully in the tub.
After fiddling a little with the water temperature, Din climbed in across from her, and they spent a few minutes just adjusting positions until they were comfortable, her back against his chest, his arms around her waist.
The bathtub was even better than the shower.
"This is perfect," she murmured, letting her head fall back against his shoulder.
"Mmm," he agreed, pressing a kiss to her damp hair. "Though I keep expecting Joseph to burst in with towels or tea or something."
"He wouldn't dare. Kalugal would have his head."
"Good man, Kalugal."
They floated in silence for a while, the hot water and lavender-scented bath oils working their magic. But as relaxed as her body was becoming, Fenella's mind kept circling back to tomorrow.
They were flying home, leaving this Egyptian adventure behind them and starting their lives together.
"I'm nervous," she said quietly.
Din's arms tightened around her. "About what?"
"About going home. About us."
She felt his body tense behind her. "What about us?"
"I've never lived with anyone before," she said in a rush. "Not as a couple. What if the magic fades once we're back? What if you realize I'm terrible to live with? What if?—"
"Fenella." He turned her in his arms so she was facing him, water sloshing dangerously close to the tub's rim. "Look at me."
She did, finding his eyes serious but warm.
"First of all, there's no magic to fade. What we have is real, built on love, friendship, and respect. That's not going anywhere. And secondly, we are truelove mates, as proven by all the obstacles we had to overcome to be together."
"But—"
"Thirdly." He placed a finger gently over her lips, "I already know that you're terrible to live with. You leave wet towels on the floor, you steal the blanket, and you have questionable taste in late-night television."
"Hey!" She tried to look offended but couldn't quite manage it.
"And I love all of it," he finished. "Even your silly reality show addiction."
"It's not an addiction," she protested. "It's a healthy interest in human drama."
"Of course, it is." He cupped her face, his thumbs stroking her cheekbones. "The point is, I know who you are, Fenella: the good, the bad, the occasionally criminally insane. And I want all of it. All of you. Wet towels and all."
She felt tears prick at her eyes. "You can't mean that."
"Have I ever lied to you?"
"Well, no…"
"There you have it." He leaned and kissed the tip of her nose. "I'm ready to tackle anything and everything with you. I would like to ask the Clan Mother to officiate at our wedding in a grand ceremony attended by the entire clan. I want it all."
He kissed her then, thoroughly.
