---
Lily traced one finger lightly over the back of his hand where it rested between them.
"You look different today."
His eyes shifted to her. "Different how."
"Younger, somehow." She thought about it. "And older. Both."
"That is not an answer."
"It is the only one I have."
He considered it and found, annoyingly, that it made sense.
The last few days had pulled too many hidden things into light. Son. Blood awakening. Heir. Husband. Enemy. Desired man. All the names sat on him now at once, and perhaps it did change the face they made together.
Lily leaned her head lightly against his shoulder. "You also look less alone."
That one went into him quietly and stayed there.
He turned his hand and linked his fingers with hers.
Neither of them spoke for several breaths after that.
Then Lily said, almost in a whisper, "What happens when I go back tonight."
The question cooled the room by just enough to matter.
Sekhmet did not pretend not to understand it.
