Sword-Maker(159)

I drifted off toward sleep. The edge was so very close. All I needed to do was take that final step and slide myself off the horizon, in concert with the sun—

Del lay down again. Said nothing for several long moments.

I just drifted, aware of her nearness in an abstract, pleasing way. Legs and elbows touched. My temple brushed her shoulder.

Drowsily, I thought: A good way to fall asleep—

Then she turned a hip, shifting closer to me. Her breath in my ear was soft. “Do sword-dancers-turned-messiahs have bedmates? Or are they celibate?”

I cracked open a gritty eye. “Not tonight, bascha. I have a headache.”

The sun fell over the edge. Laughing, so did I.