"Master. She thinks you can do this."
"Yes, she does."
"She is going to ask you to do this again, in approximately the third week of next month, and I will make myself technically, off-rotation."
"And you will be there for me, right?"
"I will be there, master, because you will be the one who promised it, and I will be the one who actually performs the labour while you stand around looking unstoppably godlike."
"Eira."
"Um?"
"This is a beautiful partnership."
"This is a contract negotiation, master, and you are losing."
He kissed Roxanne then — not with the weight of conquest, but with the easy, unhurried delight. The kiss made her laugh against his mouth, a bright, startled sound that vibrated pleasantly through both of them, and he ignored his fairy with the practiced ease and habit and every intention of continuing the tradition.
He cupped Roxanne's jaw with one hand and brushed his thumb along the gentle curve of her cheekbone.
