The Primrose War

“My lord.”

Collar bobbed his head to Platinum briefly as he settled in beside the Rosewine bridge inspector’s watch house. “Sergeant. Trade seems to be picking up.”

Platinum eyed him as her corporal and privates managed the traffic that afternoon. The line wasn’t long to get in, and more were heading Merrie-ward than into Damme, to wait at the other side. “It’s been picking up from the Garden, certainly. I’m not so sure about the Dockbridge.”

“Well. There aren’t any but our home fleet docked.” In truth, the home fleet was little more than a shoal of fishing schooners. The rest of the ships that called Damme home couldn’t be trapped there during the winter months and make their owners any money during the idle months.

“Liar. The ‘home fleet’ is out fishing.” Platinum chuffed and flicked her tail. “Beautiful weather for it, and nothing in the forecast according to Corporal Sunshine.”

“He would know, I suppose,” Collar mused, watching the flow and farther down the bridge’s length until his breath caught in his throat. There, just setting hoof on the bridgeway from the channel island, was Rosewater. She didn’t wear ribbons in her mane this time, but she did wear a scarf of light pink, with blue tassels that hung down to mid-forelimb, and it and her hair blew in the light breeze coming off the bay.

“She didn’t wear her crown,” Platinum observed after a moment of watching with him. “And her escort looks familiar, but I couldn’t say from where.”

It took a moment to find the mare trailing Rosewater a pace or two behind as a cart passed them by before she darted up to walk with the taller mare, saying something that both of them laughed at.

“You know how I know you’re besotted?” Platinum asked under her breath.

“Excuse me, but she was behind Rosewater. And that’s Prism. She’s good at making herself go unnoticed.” Collar glanced aside to get the other mare’s reaction.

“Really?” Platinum leaned forward and squinted, as if that could bring the pair closer to her. “There’s been talk about her for a while in the barracks. Speculating about where she went and why.”

“She went to the Garden to try out the Principes lifestyle,” Collar said gently. “Of her own free will.” He paused a moment as Rosewater and Prism again settled into single-file to pass by another cart, Prism behind again. To cover her back, Collar realized. She hadn’t given up her trained instincts, at least. “Her choice. The only way Merriedamme will work, Plat.”

Platinum gave him a nod, then wandered over to her corporal when he turned around, froze, and stared at Collar. “Have a good date, my lord. I hope to hear a hundred rumors by the time she returns.”

Clouds scudded overhead, the breeze they hinted at reaching down to caress her flank as Rosewater made her way across the bridge, tugging at her scarf and billowing out the blue tassels. It had been meant to be a part of her dress in an earlier version of it, but with the version she’d worn, Silk had been left with a garment that she couldn’t sell in Merrie, not with Damme blue in it.

“I’ve been curious,” Prism said as they dismounted from the central island.

“Oh? I like pancakes more than cereal, and generally, and I do mean generally, enjoy heat more than pressure with a massage.”

“I already know how you like to have sex, Rosewater,” Prism shot back, shifting to trail behind her as a cart trundled past, taking up most of the space on the cobbled bridgeway. “Bliss and Dazzle weren’t quite out and out about what you enjoyed, but I remember quite well that contented look on all three of your faces the next morning.”

“Then how do you know how I like to have sex?” Rosewater shot back as Prism rejoined her.

Prism gave her a sidelong, disbelieving look. “Dear stars. Have you forgotten when we had sex?”

Rosewater laughed softly, and Prism followed her. “No, Prism. I haven’t forgotten. I hope, someday, we can have that time again. It was good for me to connect with a mare like you.”

“Same,” Prism murmured, sidestepping to bump her shoulder lightly to Rosewater’s. “It was good to see another side of you that I never knew. I’ve seen you scared and afraid, gentle and loving, but that was…”

It had been tender and slow, neither of them in a rush to finish, and spent almost as much time talking as they had making love to another.

“It was the true Rose Way,” Rosewater murmured back. “Friends connecting across the heart. It’s something I lost sight of in trying to take care of…” She sighed and shook her head, smiling more brightly. “But you know that already, and it’s the past. Today, I’m going to have a date with Collar, and then I’m coming back home to family and friends and lovers.”

Prism gave her a sidelong look. “That wasn’t just for my ears.”

“No.” Rosewater gave her a brighter smile. “But it’s still true. I’m doing better, Prism.”

Her friend mouthed something that looked like ‘one day’, let out a soft laugh, and bumped her shoulder against Rosewater’s again. “It’s good to see you happy.”

Rosewater raised her eyes to where Collar waited for her, his eyes meeting hers as she climbed the last, shallow incline up to Damme. “I’m happy, too. More than you can imagine to be able to do this in the open.”

Prism chuckled.

“Do what in the open?” Collar asked as Rosewater came up to him.

Her only immediate answer was to flatten her ears and close the last few steps to kiss him. He startled, but not away from her, his eyes widening before he let his ears relax and closed his eyes, deepening the kiss for a moment before he let the kiss part and nuzzled her cheek.

“It’s good to see you again,” he murmured against her cheek. “I missed you last night.”

“I missed you, too.”

“We’re talking about how we can get you to come to the palace for dinner,” Collar said quietly. “But today…” His eyes sparkled as he stepped back. “I have a place to take you for a lovely lunch. The food is good, the sea air is refreshing, and your daughter had an encounter there with a certain captain of mine. Having her mother appear just a few months later…”

Rosewater laughed brightly. “Stars, that was her idea, wasn’t it?”

“It was! Cloudy giggled madly when I told her.”

“She did?”

“Obviously.” The light in Collar’s eyes dimmed, clearly wanting to joke with her about Cloudy’s reaction last night. But the ponies nearby would wonder, and they would want to know how Rosewater already knew about Cloudy’s reaction to the date. This was as much performative as it was real. A chance to revel in the feeling of being in the open with her love and her real self. “I’m glad we can court in the open, love. It’s been…”

“I know.” Rosewater kissed him again and nodded to Prism. “Enjoy your stay with your family. I’ll see you in a few hours?”

Prism chuckled. “If they want to, would you want to meet them after your date? I know they’ve been curious about you after I mentioned you a few times.”

Rosewater glanced at Collar. “I know my amnesty only goes so far as we’re on a date, Collar. I don’t want to strain that boon too far, but… Prism is a friend.”

“As long as I come along, it’s a date.” Collar nipped her cheek gently.

“It’s a date, then, Prism. If they agree.”

Seeing the reactions of himself walking beside Rosewater, talking to her sometimes distractedly as the whispering of his ponies caught his eye or ear, and saw her eyes darting where his attention came.

Then she would turn her attention back to him and nip his cheek, smile, and guide him further along the way to the docks, past the empty docks now empty. He wished he could have shown her the ships, given her a tour of the merchant fleet, introduce them to her and the idea that she and her ponies could be a great boon to the shipping yards.

“Have you had a chance to speak with Clipper about setting up a meeting?” Rosewater asked as they stepped out onto the main dock, the stone under his and her shoes clicking only a small part of the bustle as ponies rushed from warehouse to warehouse, carts of goods and pouches of coins changing hooves as the mad scramble of daily life on the docks in the trade district.

“I haven’t. Sadly, Clipper has been busy writing letters and managing his business into winter months, so most of his time is spent coordinating cargoes and contracts from across the continent.” Collar shook his head, grinned, and nuzzled her cheek. “But you didn’t come on a date to hear me talk about trade.”

“Mm. Well, if we finish our courtship on favorable terms…” Rosewater nipped the side of his muzzle when he, surprised, glanced aside at her. “Wherever the conversation takes us, Collar. I have my hooves in trade, too, and I’m excited to get to work with Clipper again.”

“Again?”

“Oh, my dear, have you hit your head?” Rosewater laughed at his harrumph. “It’s no secret we played a trick together. My mother has to know that he was at least partly responsible for the reception we got. And he controls most of the shipping in Damme, so unless she wants to get her contracts for exports and imports vastly more expensive or cancelled, she can’t really go after him.”

“He told you that?”

“I figured it out after going over the shipping tables yesterday afternoon.”

“Stars, you do not like to sit idle.”

Rosewater chuckled, but it sounded forced, her eyes darting away and then back. “You know that better than most. I want to be ready to move my contracts from Cargo to Clipper as soon as possible, even if I can’t get my imports until spring. Jumping sooner for my non-perishables means I can get better prices since there’s a glut during winter for products from the southern reaches.”

“That makes sense, I suppose,” Collar said, nodding and casting his gaze over the empty slips. “I wanted to show you some of our ships, get you to meet the captains and crew. This is the heart of Damme, and…” He waved a hoof over the line of warehouses with their bay doors open to the day as a sort of bulk goods bazaar. “This is the most active time of year. Ponies jockeying for the best export cargoes of dry goods come Spring starts now.”

“I wish I could…” Rosewater stopped to glance over the interior of a warehouse that seemed to hold all manner of dried herbs, some samples of which were on display on crates out front. “I wish I could make the time today to make a deal for some Rosemary.”

Collar chuckled. “It’s a very versatile herb. Do you use it in a lot of perfumes?”

Rosewater gave him an odd look. “No. Well… once, but I would like to buy a crate of dried rosemary for the Garden for cooking. It goes especially well with tuber dishes like potatoes, carrots, and leeks, especially when paired with a savory fish. Petal also uses it as an additive to some of her wines to give them an earthy aroma and taste.”

It clicked after a moment. “Rosemary Reverence?”

“It’s not really named after her. Happy accident.” Rosewater giggled. “That she took full advantage of when she went visiting last year. There’s a portrait of her somewhere holding a bottle of the first run before it got put into storage.”

“A… card portrait?” Collar asked, a rushing tingle flashing through his body.

“No, not one of those. She wanted to, but Budding said no.” Rosewater glanced aside at him. “Do you mind if I strike up a deal for some rosemary to be sent back to the Garden before our date?”

Collar nipped her cheek. “We’re already on our date, Rosewater. If you want to go shopping while we’re out, I have no issues with that at all.” He closed the distance between them, small as it was, and walked in step with her, shoulder to shoulder. “It’s… it would feel more normal if we did something more together than simply going out to eat someplace.”

“Normal.” Rosewater said the word slowly, as if tasting it. “Is that what it feels like to walk with you in daylight instead of sneaking kisses around corners?”

And more. Collar kissed her neck lightly. “It can be. We need to do this more than that for this to be normal. It’s how the word works.”

“You don’t say?” She laughed and raised her nose to the air as a breeze flowed around them and swirled as it hit the buffer of warehouses, sending leaves skirling into arcane, living patterns on the stones of the walkway. “Then, this one. They have rosemary in stock, it smells like.”

“In addition,” Collar added, “I would like to secure some herbs to make meals like those you make in the Garden. Fragrant and tasteful at once. If you could help me decide upon some, I will make a list and send them to our steward and the chef for including in our daily meals.”

“And the recipes?” Rosewater asked, eyebrow piqued. “If you haven’t used the ingredients before…”

“A fair point. Perhaps… well, I have been meaning to open more business with the Garden. Perhaps an opening overture could be trading for recipes. I would love for you to be our ambassador if you would be willing.”

“My lord, an ambassador must necessarily not be a part of the faction you’re negotiating with. It rather firmly goes against the meaning of the word.” She glanced aside at him and stepped up closer to the row of crats with samples of the herbs held under a plate of glass, a crude manner of displaying them. “Pardon me, but what is the minimum bulk amount of herbs you will sell?”

Minimum? Collar stepped up with her and nuzzled her cheek, drawing a surprised look from the keeper of the warehouse front.

“You… uh…” The salespony seemed terrified, glancing between Rosewater and Collar. “My lord?”

“We’re on a date, good sir. I assure you trading with her will not have any legal repercussions.” Collar glanced aside at a pony whispering a little too loudly to be ‘subtle,’ but didn’t say anything in reply to the newborn rumor. It was one of the gentler ones he recognized from Priceless’s list of rumors his own little birds had started singing. Maybe she was…

Then the mare met his eyes, and all doubt dropped away. She wasn’t one of Priceless’s songbirds, but somepony who was as tired of this war as he was. There was an air of hope about her as she turned away with her friend, still chattering away and walking away.

While he’d been listening to the ponies, Rosewater had negotiated a decent, though not crushing price for a small crate of dried rosemary of a strain common to the Saddlehair Oases that had a more vibrant feel to the fragrance it released when it was included in a baked dish.

“Is that rare?”

“Not uncommonly so,” Rosewater murmured as she finished filling out the delivery contract. “The Saddlehair Desert is a wonderful place to find many rare herbs and oils, and Saddle Arabia controls the only port even halfway close to the nearest oasis.”

“I can’t imagine it was easy to get that kind of thing through Cargo Manifest,” Collar murmured. “I’ve heard about how shady his dealings can be.”

To his surprise, the trader scoffed. “Cargo Manifest is one step above pirates, and it’s a short step.”

“You haven’t half the story,” Rosewater said with a hint of disgust in her voice. “He trades contracts for sex. He’s not from Merrie, which you’ll understand half a second after meeting him. He tried to pester me for sex for a discount on a contract.” Rosewater met the trader’s eyes. “I declined in a way he’ll not soon forget.”

The trader swallowed. “I can imagine. Thank you for your business.” He pushed the contract into a slot on the back of the crate. “We’ll have the contract processed this evening and have the goods delivered tomorrow. Is that soon enough?”

“Of course. I’m not in a hurry, but I would like to be able to bake something special for Collar sometime next week.” Rosewater glanced at him, then nuzzled his neck. “I have a recipe from Carnation for a potato souffle that calls for a rosemary chutney as a glaze. Quite fragrant and quite tasty, but I want to add my own twist to the chutney.”

“I’m not even sure what a chutney is,” Collar said with a laugh, flicking his ears back and feeling a blush creep up his neck. “But I’d like to learn. Can you cook that in our palace kitchens? And let me help.”

Rosewater’s ears flattened, but she nodded slowly. “If… if you think it wouldn’t be an issue diplomatically, I would love to cook a home meal for the family. It’s something Carnation insisted on doing at least once a week. It’s something I learned from her.”

“No issue. We’re courting, Rosewater. It would be strange if we didn’t trade family traditions.” He kissed her cheek, surprised at the warmth lurking there despite the glowing flush crawling up her neck. “I want to share some of mine with your family, as well. Even as large as your extended family is.”

“My—” Rosewater snapped a look at him, then laughed and bumped her cheek against his and guided him away from the warehouse and back out into the flow of traffic towards the bustling pre-lunch crowds migrating to the myriad of diners, cafes, and taverns lining Tavern Row. “Yes. I will have to see if we can invite you to share some of your family traditions with my family.”

“At the Garden?” Collar asked, raising a brow as they wove around a cart jam with ponies arguing about right of way. “I would love to, but I very much doubt that Roseate would agree to let me stay even half an hour without the treaty getting involved and laying out ground rules.”

“Then, I suppose, we’ll need to bring the Garden to you.”

“And just how do you propose to do that? It’s not like…” Collar glanced at her, at the devious smile growing across her lips. He hadn’t thought she’d broach the idea in a crowded public forum like this. But there was no better place to put out a rumor or a ‘fact’ than in the middle of Damme’s commercial heart. “Oh. Well, we are heading into festival season, aren’t we?”

“Indeed we are. How could I have missed that?” She nipped his cheek and pranced ahead a few paces so all he could reach was her flank when he retaliated. He did, and earned a few louder whispers and a laugh from her. “Oh, right. I did not miss that. I was planning on inviting my family in the Garden to participate in some of the public festivals with your family.”

“And the best place to say that was…”

“Here. That’s right.”

Collar chuckled. “Well. No better way to let everypony know they will be social events not to be missed, I suppose.”

Lunch was, surprisingly, very uneventful. Considering. It surprised Rosewater a little just how much ponies paid attention to them without bothering them. It was one of the more popular places for out-of-city patrons, so perhaps their having lunch there wasn’t as odd.

The wait staff, however, spent half the time they spent at lunch whispering to each other and getting hissed at by the owner or their supervisor. But, in Rosewater’s experience, it had been the best service she’d ever received at a restaurant. Her glass of water never went below three-quarters full with ponies, ears pricked for the faintest bit of gossip to share, waiting their table with all the eagerness of a child asking parents for permission to play a game.

She had made sure to give them some little bits and pieces, including a slow kiss towards the end of dinner while the pony taking lead on caring for their table delivered their bill.

After, they wandered down the almost empty docks, ponies engaged in pre-winter maintenance the only spectators to their walk as Collar talked about his plans for trade the next year, letting free his dreams of finally seeing more open trade between their cities.

“I would love to do business with your captains directly,” Rosewater admitted as they passed several workers pausing their work in replacing dock boards and painting pitch over the joints and bottom to seal them against seawater. “I would love to walk here myself, meet you or any of my friends here for lunch or browse the new incoming wares, or…” She shrugged.

“Or for us to board a ship and go to Canterlot for a honeymoon,” Collar murmured, nuzzling her cheek. There wasn’t anypony about to listen or carry his comment. It was for her, and her alone.

It sent a thrill down her spine. “With…”

“Yes.” Collar bobbed his head once and fell silent for several steps, his eyes raised to the sky instead of watching in front of him. It spoke more to his familiarity with the docks than anything he’d said. “The future is going to be busy, but right now…” He nodded towards the beach.

“Our second date?”

“I thought it would be nice to revisit the campsite. Even if we had to cover it up.” He flicked a look at her, then away again, a small smile creasing his lips. “I didn’t have much time to plan ahead, but… I did manage to smuggle out some Dammerale.”

“We have some plans to make, too,” Rosewater said. “My monthly cycle…”

Collar glanced around sharply. “Here?”

“There’s nopony close enough, Collar, and I want to listen to the sea while we talk. I don’t want to have this discussion be…” She waved a hoof. “Silent. I want to plan our child with life surrounding us, Collar. I wish I could do it without worrying about ponies listening in.”

“I know.” Collar blew out a breath.

“This is something that has always been talked about with family, friends, and community in Merrie. This is new for me, keeping secret…” Except for all of her Mares in Waiting. “Mostly secret,” she amended, a flush rising up her neck. “I wish I could gather all of you together and talk and have a night to remember when my cycle is at the peak. It’s a… an orgy, Collar. With you and I at the center of attention, celebrating our fertility and the hope of a child coming soon.”

Collar stumbled, coughed, and bumped a shoulder against hers. “I’m not sure I’m ready for that. It’s far enough for me that I can have sex with Cloudy in front of Rosemary.”

A shiver ran over Rosewater’s flanks, and her tail flirted high. “I… stars, I want to share a night with you and Cloudy.”

“Soon. Remember, we know when to invite you. The first big storm…” He glanced to the sky. “We still need to find out when the first winter storm—”

“I want to stay over sooner. I thought about it last night after I got home. Stars, Collar, if we try to keep it as secret as we want. Ponies will wonder when we had the chance to have sex.” Rosewater nuzzled his cheek. “It will be a risk, yes, but I think no more riskier than it is now. If my mother doesn’t suspect, her receiving word that I’m staying overnight with you will only make her more certain.”

“And put you in more danger.”

Rosewater sighed and shook her head. “Now that I have more freedom to pursue love as I want I don’t want to let her dictate how I can do that. Not anymore. Stars, I’m going to be holding court, Collar. That’s going to poke her in the eye much more than me possibly making love to you.”

Collar grimaced, nodded, and let out a long sigh. “I’m not happy you’re doing that, but I understand why you’re doing it.”

Rosewater snapped her tail against his flank. “I need to be the leader my ponies need.”

“I know.” Collar grunted and chewed his lip. “Stars, I know. I wish I could send guards to keep you safe.”

“I wish you could, too.” There wasn’t anything she or he could do. She had already started making plans to make a contract of payment for experienced guards from the Garden, including the three former Dammeguard. It would hurt to have Dazzle be there as her bodyguard instead of her lover, but she’d already discussed it with him in brief. Until she knew he would accept… “I’m trying to gather my own bodyguard.”

“I thought you might.” Collar relaxed minutely. “So. The first time you stay overnight.”

“The first night should be only you and I, Collar. I don’t want to risk rumors from serving staff that we’re planning a polyamorous relationship. Not yet. Lovemaking with Rosemary will have to wait.” She winked at him, trying to lighten the mood into discussion of making love instead of the tight knot of mood.

Instead, Collar coughed and glanced aside at her uncomfortably, the flush in his cheeks clear. “She… you might need to have a talk with her. I understand her fears, but I don’t agree with her conclusion. She’s afraid, very afraid, that she’ll be married to you without the same kind of love you share with Cloudy and I. And, if we can’t later open our marriage through choice, she’ll be…”

“Trapped?” Rosewater felt a curdle of understanding twisting in her stomach.

“Trapped. She wanted to come to you herself, but she’s not sure what to say.”

Rosewater nudged him to the side along the trail down the beach and around something rotting ahead of them. Most likely seaweed from the sour undertone. “She… wants to participate in our lovemaking.” It wasn’t hard to connect the thought process. It was a part of any healthy marriage that active members of the partnership shared with each other. “Not to make love to me.”

“Yes.” Collar held his mouth open to say more, then closed it.

He was waiting for her response. She wasn’t even sure what her actual response would be in the moment if Rosemary tried to help her make love to Collar, Cloudy, or both. She could imagine safe ways to do so, but being so close, even letting Rosemary hold her while Collar mounted her, or while Cloudy ate her out. In the moment of passion, though…

“It makes opening our marriage up even more important,” Rosewater said after considering the mistakes that could happen, the aftermath, and the uncomfortability that would come with it. Not to mention the scandal if anything came out. “I don’t want to keep her out of our relationship. She’ll still be my…” She cocked her head to the side. “Wife, but not…”

Collar laughed. “I can understand why sisters getting married to the same pony is so rare.”

“It is.” Rosewater snorted and nipped his neck. “It’s rare enough that there’s not a common cultural touchstone to look at and say ‘this is the right way.’”

“I take it, then, that each marriage is handled differently?”

“They are. We’ll have to find our own equilibrium.” Rosewater glanced aside at him. “At this time, she is not married to us, nor is she even engaged to you. But she has lovers amongst your guard. She is untied to our marriage or our commitment to being a closed marriage.”

“Our ‘commitment,’” Collar said with a sigh. “I want to make love to her, Rosewater. I want to show her the commitment I have to her. Us. I want more than watching her pleasure herself with an image of me. I want to be able to show her in all the small ways. Little kisses, hugs, just having her be in places where only a lover could be in my life.”

“Like we are, right now.”

Collar nodded slowly and kissed her lightly on the cheek. “Being able to go out with her without it seeming odd.” He grimaced. “I almost wish she would defect. It would be easier.”

“In many ways, it would be easier. But it would mean she’s abandoning her home and her loyalty to it. Even beyond our hasty plan, she doesn’t want any of her friends thinking she’s abandoning the city she grew up in.” Rosewater tapped his ankle lightly with a hoof. “I won’t push her to defect sooner than she’s ready.”

“I wouldn’t expect you to.” Collar nudged her down the left and towards the bay and the sandy beach beyond the harbor. “But, back to the subject of planning for a foal. Sooner? How soon did you want to stay over?”

“Would this week be possible? Is there a special dinner being planned soon? Something you would invite your paramour to?” The thought of staying with Collar, being a guest instead of a functionary, sent a thrill of excitement and anticipation through her.

“So soon?” Collar’s cheeks flushed. “When is your cycle starting?”

It was a question she’d pondered for the last week after they’d finalized their plan, trying to remember when she’d frozen her cycle almost six years ago. “That’s not the only reason I want to stay overnight, Collar. It would be a bonus if I hit the peak of my cycle, but… I know you spent your nights with Cloudy in bed. Sex or not. I want you to have that with somepony you love. I want to have that.”

Something in Collar’s eyes flickered. “I want that. Stars, Rosewater, I want that tonight.”

It was tempting to say yes. To invite him through the basement again or to not go back to the garden when the date was over. Her eyes burned with unshed, frustrated tears. “You could—” She cut herself off before she even made the offer.

“I could. I want to. Stars, I could…” Then he shook his head. “No. I’d be literally sniffed out if I tried to cross the bridge. And teleporting into the Garden ground—” He cut himself off and let out a bitter laugh. “Stars. My own guards and staff would rat me out.” He chuckled. “A week from now. We’re hosting business owners from around Damme. It would be a chance to…” Collar shrugged.

“I know. I don’t want to focus on making connections, but it will be the price we pay to be a couple. I’ll pay it gladly… and maybe find a few new friends at the same time.”

“And afterwards…”

“I’ll stay. Even if the sky doesn’t have a cloud in sight.” She kissed his cheek lightly. “For just one night.”

“For now.”

“We have some time left today.” Rosewater glanced up at the clouds scuttling slowly across the sky, ponies shepherding some of them into a line leading out to sea. Not far out, but far enough out that most of them would get swept up in a different air current. “It’s beautiful today.”

“It is.” Collar leaned against her and guided her to a low, flat rock carved smooth by wave and tide. “You know, when I went here the first time with my parents to watch a newly commissioned ship…”

Rosewater listened, asking questions, and wondering where she’d been at the same time, wondering if she could find a way to turn back time and find a way to be with him then, to be with him from the start.

I’m with him now. He was sharing his life with her, telling her who he had been, letting her live his childhood with her. That was more than enough. “I love you.”

Collar paused his story, smiling, and kissed her. “I love you, too.”