She was weary to the bone when they returned from Ahm Areng. For all the emotional highs of the trip, it was difficult to dredge up any sort of enthusiasm. When it was suggested that she rest before meeting with the Exarch, Brynne took the opportunity without protest and with no small amount of relief.

Not that she would’ve minded seeing the Exarch, but she did not feel up to a strategy meeting.

Since she had slain the Lightwarden in Ahm Areng, she had felt that surging fullness within her again. It was vaguely unpleasant, as though she had eaten more than her fill. But when it had spiked after the kill…

“I fear that the light which poured forth from the Wardens was not negated at all. I fear it was absorbed─that she has been suffused with their light.”

As of now, she had it under control, if only just. But after the final warden?

It was somewhat terrifying to think about.

More terrifying when it abruptly started to burst free, all while she was simply sitting at the table and talking with Ardbert. The pain was intense. Brynne dropped to her knees, struggling to regain control.

And then… it just as abruptly stabilized. When she looked up, startled, she found Ardbert reaching for her, hand just shy of her shoulder.

“Minfilia said my time had not yet come. That I still had a role to play.” They stared at each other for a moment, and Brynne swallowed hard. Ardbert continued, “Not even the most valiant hero can stand alone…”

As quickly as the revelation came, he dismissed it. “No – No, it couldn’t be. There’s only one hero in this room, and it is not me. I’m just a shadow, cursed to wander.”

Brynne opened her mouth to refute that – regardless of what he said, Ardbert had been a hero, had done so many things in the name of helping others – when there was a knock at the door.

Who at this hour…?

Possibly Y’shtola, checking on her. Brynne made her way to the door, swinging it open.

And found the Crystal Exarch on the other side.

He seemed almost as startled as she did, and she couldn’t help but wonder if he’d been in the hallway a while before knocking. He cleared his throat. “Forgive the intrusion, but Minfilia – that is, Ryne and the others were asking after you. Is everything all right?”

Brynne couldn’t help but smile a bit, warmth suffusing her. He hadn’t had to come personally to check on her, and yet there he was. Another little sign of care. “I’m – well, I suppose to say I’m fine would be a lie,” she admitted, mood sinking again as she remembered what had happened earlier. “I had another attack.”

“That pain again?” At once, he was on alert, leaning forward anxiously. “And did it pass?”

Not exactly on its own. Despite the uncertainty, Brynne nodded. “Yes.”

The Exarch relaxed noticeably, his features smoothing into something like relief. “Thank goodness for that. I would not wish to see you suffer.”

“I know.” It was still a bit surprising how much surety she could place behind that simple statement. The Exarch had done everything in his power to see to her well-being. It was clear that he cared about her.

And did she return that care? Was she besotted with him in turn?

Honestly, Brynne wasn’t sure. She was fond of him, yes. And it wasn’t simply because he reminded her of G’raha – at least, she didn’t think so. He was his own man, and while the resemblances may have spoken to her tastes, she had a sense that she wanted him as he was, not as a reflection of her memory. But for feelings beyond want… did she…?

The Exarch continued speaking, unaware of her internal struggle. “Though I know only too well how much you have suffered on our behalf in recent days.” He lowered his head, frowning deeply. “Indeed, I have no right to impose upon you further. Nevertheless, I must ask one thing of you.”

She raised her head, ears perking as she was broken out of her thoughts. Outside of saving the world, he rarely had things to ask of her. In fact, he seemed to avoid asking anything of her. So what..?

“That you survive this, no matter what.” He looked up at her again, lips pressed together in a stubborn line, before continuing. “When the dust settles, you must return to your world. For the battles to come and the wars yet unwon. And for…” He hesitated.

Brynne swallowed hard, waiting.

“For my own selfish desire,” he continued finally, voice lowering. “I must see that you survive this. No matter the cost.”

Something hot and heavy settled in her chest; Brynne took in a breath, and it felt as though she swallowed fire. Inexplicably, her eyes prickled.

He was still talking, which was just as well, as she could not have spoken in that moment. “The final Lightwarden is all that stands between us and victory. There is still much we must do to prepare, but for now, I will see if there is aught that may remedy the strange affliction which plagues you.”

Right, that. Brynne breathed in again, finding it easier now that she had something to focus on outside of his show of devotion. “When the warden is dead,” she managed, “will your work finally be done?”

And will you grant me my selfish desire?

“Yes, I believe it will.” Once again, he now wore that oddly wistful smile. “Once the tyranny of light is ended, the people of the Crystarium will be safe, and the future that must be shall come to pass.”

Something about the way he said it gave her an odd feeling, like dread curling down at the pit of her stomach. “And you will be free to follow your own desires, yes?” she pressed.

His mouth opened, and abruptly shut. Then he smiled again, and she once more felt that sense of sadness in it. “Yes. I will be free.”

“Show me.” Impulsively, Brynne stepped forward, staring at him with determination. “Right here, right now. Give me a hint of what is to come.” When he opened his mouth again, she cut him off before he could speak. “Don’t forget that this is my battle. I will do my utmost to fulfill my promise to you, but should the worst happen…” She sucked in a breath, but forced herself to look directly at him. “I would go forward with no regrets left behind.”

For a long moment, he was silent. When he did speak, there was bafflement plain in his voice. “You would regret me?”

“I would regret not having at least a taste of you, yes.” She set her mouth in a stubborn line. “Do this for me, Exarch. I’m not asking you to abandon your principles, whatever your reasons may be. A kiss, here and now – that is all I ask.”

He let out a huff of breath, and offered her what looked like a resigned smile. “It seems that no matter how carefully I lay my plans, you yet find ways to seize the advantage.” He reached out with his spoken hand to caress her cheek, and Brynne leaned into it, shutting her eyes. “Very well – I am at your service.”

His touch and the way his voice lowered as he uttered that line had Brynne’s heart pounding hard against her chest. She opened her eyes again and found him regarding her with a fond smile, that strangely wistful edge behind it. There was no time to ponder on it, though, because by the time it registered, he was already leaning in. Her eyes fluttered shut again, anticipation building like a coil tightly wound within her.

The first brush of his lips was soft, almost tentative, as if he were testing the waters. He pulled back slightly and let out a shaky sigh, the warm air ghosting over her skin, and then he pressed in again, more firmly. His head tilted further, their mouths fit together just so, and Brynne was lost.

She had kissed before, of course. She couldn’t even count how many times before, building up to things that had her burning with lust, but it wasn’t like this. It had never given her quite the same fluttery feeling, like she was floating on air, like she was capable of flight, like she could do anything – but being here, kissing him, was all she wanted.

He kissed her with a kind of desperation, crowding into her space all at once, tongue gliding out along her lower lip to demand access, which she was only too happy to provide. Brynne reached up to grasp at his shoulders, anchoring herself and pulling him in closer at the same time. His fingers clamped on her hips, and he backed her into the door, lips and tongue stealing her senses.

She hadn’t expected just how enthusiastically he would acquiesce to her request, and it had her mind spinning, all thoughts in tatters and everything in her body focused on the points of contact between them. The Exarch was like a man starved, feasting on her as though he had been waiting all his life for this moment.

Heat was building in her loins, that aching want which would normally come as things progressed into foreplay. They were only kissing, and already she could imagine just how good it would feel to take him in; if he would plunge into her just as his tongue pillaged her mouth; if he would continue to kiss her as he thrust roughly…

One of his legs slid between hers, and she shamelessly ground herself on it, granting a tiny sliver of relief but amplifying the ache at the same time. She caught his lower lip on her teeth, fangs digging in just slightly, and he made the most beautiful sound against her mouth, like a mixture between a moan and a whimper.

Perfection.

And then all at once he was pulling back, lips and tongue retreating. She chased him for one delirious second, and then cool air hit her flaming face and reason started to intrude. He leaned in to press his forehead to hers, both of them breathing heavily in the aftermath, and his body shuddered.

“You are a greater temptation than all of life’s pleasures combined,” he murmured, fingers pressing in almost possessively at her hips. Her own hands clutched at his robes, wanting to pull him back, continue where he’d left off, but knowing she shouldn’t. “Were my mission of lesser import, I fear you would prove my undoing. But I cannot.” He stepped back, releasing her, and regarded her face as if committing it to memory. “One kiss, as requested.”

Brynne let go of his robes with heavy reluctance, pulling her hands back. Her core throbbed, wanting, but she wasn’t about to push for something he didn’t want in turn, regardless of the reasons. She noted with some satisfaction that his cheeks were flushed and his lips bruised, and the idea of him running into the Master of the Pendants like this upon exiting her room was more than a little thrilling.

Let the man speculate. Let him tell everyone. Let the rumors of the Exarch and the Warrior of Darkness spread across the Crystarium.

“You have delivered on my request, indeed,” she said wryly, pushing away from the door as he allowed her space to do so. “I can definitely say now, having had my taste, that I will be greatly anticipating the next opportunity to feast.” She licked her lips deliberately, eyes going lidded as she watched his face.

The Exarch let out a shaking breath. His voice was low, almost dark, when next he spoke. “And I can say now, having had mine, that it will be on my mind for some time.”

That hung between them for a single, charged moment.

Then he drew himself up and moved around her to reach for the door handle. “But I’ll not keep you from your rest any longer.” Looking back over his shoulder, he added, “Take as much time as you like.”

The abrupt dismissal didn’t even bother her. “I shall,” she assured him, and sighed when the door closed behind him.

Mayhap he would return to his mirror and watch her again. The thought sent a little shiver of anticipation through her; she glanced around to be sure that Ardbert was nowhere nearby and found herself alone.

Well, then. Brynne smiled, already beginning to count down how long it might take the Exarch to return to the Ocular. She was still in her traveling clothes, covered in dust from the road. It was definitely about time to draw a bath.

If he were going to watch anyway – and she was certain he would – then she would give him something to look at.

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