“Nay, sweet, our life shall not be short; while others merely exist, we shall live our days to the very full. Think of it—a future with each other. Here, hereafter! It cannot be for us other than Paradise.”
“I love you, Gustav.”
“Goddess, I adore you.”
She pressed her cheek against his, and he felt her happy tears.
“My father will need me—us,” she said. “Come.”
They found Selaka waiting eagerly for them. Inarime had not seen him since his seizure, and ran to him with a cry of pain, shocked to see him look so ill.
“My son,” said Selaka, with laboured breath, “I would ask you much, since I have given you so much.”
“There is nothing, sir, you can ask that I will not gladly grant,” said Gustav, taking his hand.
“I would charge you with my dying breath not to resume your hateful name. It would sting me in the grave if my daughter bore it.”