Lilith had changed into a lighter dress for the evening, having decided there was no reason to spend another night in formal attire when the official meetings would resume the next day. Their little fox sat beside her feet, ears pricked, staring toward the bathroom door the moment it opened.
Atheline stepped out, still damp at the edges of his hair, the scent of lake water clinging faintly to his skin. He crossed the room without hurry. Lilith looked up, and before she could speak he leaned down, one hand sliding into her hair as he kissed her.
The kiss was slow, unhurried, the kind that left no room for words. He guided her back against the bed, the mattress dipping under their weight, and broke the kiss only long enough to murmur against her mouth,
"You look beautiful."
She exhaled a quiet laugh, fingers brushing his jaw. "You took your time."
"The water was too good. It feels like it's coming straight from the lake."
"Water is still water wherever you find it."
