Zevran's hand suddenly flung open the door, the handle banging against the wall.

"And did you see that bloke on stage who snuck up after the dancers?"

Dina waltzed in with carefree laughter. "You mean the one who moved so strangely?"

"Sure, he thought he was better than the professional dancers, shaking his backside like that!" Zevran didn't hesitate; he stuck out his bum and strutted around the room, flapping his arms like a chicken.

"Oh, stop it! You make me laugh so hard!"

"Why? Didn't he do it exactly like this? And then... like this!"

"Oh, please, Zevran, stop it!"

Her laughter slowly turned into stomach-aching giggles, and she threw herself onto the bed.

Zevran obeyed, but tilted his head, as if something had just occurred to him while watching Dina. Then, he lay on his stomach beside her, propping himself up on one elbow and observing her.

Dina giggled a bit more before her laughter faded into a quiet, sparkling-eyed smile. The candlelight illuminated the man's sun-kissed, golden skin and blonde hair. Perhaps it was the almond beer she had drunk downstairs, but Dina didn't hold back; she ran her fingers through his dark blonde hair.

"I would die for a kiss from you, Dina."

At the sudden confession, she looked from his hair to his eyes, she saw that he was staring at her lips. She bit them.

"I wish I could say that your kiss is an addiction. I wish you could see what I see, those perfectly shaped lips, just begging to be kissed, in all their bare beauty."

"Zevran, you're making me blush..."

"The blush of your cheeks and the nakedness of your lips are worth more than a hundred jars of carmine."

"Stop it..."

"Has anyone ever told you this? No? Fools! Because you're like a freshly picked juicy pear from a heavenly pear tree; once you take a bite, you want more, and you want to devour it all..."

"Zevran, don't say such things...!"

"Or like a chalice filled with red wine, intoxicating."

"Enough, enough with the flattery...!"

Although Dina's words were meant to stop him, her voice was soft, and she was sure that Zevran could see the fire in her eyes that said, tell me more.

She let her gaze linger in his, then sighed. "So, the rules are the same as before?"

"I don't change my word every minute, my dear."

"Then tonight... could we just talk...?"

Zevran raised an eyebrow and propped himself up a little higher. For a moment, he seemed uncertain. Then, suddenly, he smiled obligingly, jumped up, pulled the blanket off the bed, and fluffed the pillows.

No problem! The lady wants to talk, so talk we shall!"

"What are you doing, Zevran?"

"Making the bed. For the talking!" He looked at her as if that had been his plan all along.

"Are you... mocking me now?"

Zevran straightened up. "Heavens, no! I would rather endure having my tongue burnt out with hot iron than mock you even once! Please, don't even think that of me!"

Dina also stood up, but by the time she turned around, Zevran had already started undressing. She watched as he unbuttoned his shirt, took it off, and tossed it onto the chair, then began loosening his trousers. Dina blinked rapidly.

"But... what are you doing?"

"Oh! I thought it was obvious. I'm going to bed. Aren't you coming?"

"You mean...?"

"This place was good enough for both of us last time, and it'll be good enough now. For sleeping. And talking!"

"Are you now... what are you talking about again?"

Zevran shrugged with an innocent expression. "Ah, yes. I'm talking about sex. But you know, it's just... hmm... how shall I put it... just talking," he grinned at her with mischievous confidence, then nestled into the bed in just his underwear.

Dina couldn't resist letting her gaze run over him. "So... should I undress as well?"

Zevran spread his arms wide. "Well, unless you usually sleep in street clothes."

She sighed, turned away, and stepped behind the canopy's veil. The mirror, propped up against the wall, faced her. She took off her bracelets and earrings and placed them on the small table next to the washbasin. In the mirror, she caught sight of the tattoo on her neck. She moistened a sponge and wiped it clean. Pulling her burgundy dress down over her shoulders, she let it fall to the floor. She was wearing only her underwear, a white camisole with narrow straps and lace trim. She extinguished the candle, and the room plunged into darkness. Dina walked back to the bed and slowly drew back the canopy.

Zevran, lying on the bed, extended his hand toward her.

She took it. Slowly, she sat down beside him, pulling one leg underneath her.

"Dina. I want you."

The girl said nothing, just bit her lip and lowered her head slightly with a smile. And since she didn't reply, Zevran had no choice but to counter with another cheeky smile.

"I'm not sure if I've told you that today."

"Though you spoiled me with sweet words earlier, no, not so bluntly."

A bit of seriousness crossed Zevran's face as he squinted in admiration. "Heavens, Dina, you really are beautiful."

The girl felt his hand on the back of her neck and on her back, holding her securely, then with a strong motion, he rolled her onto the bed. Dina saw a muscular, bare chest towering over her, nearly covering her, and as she touched it, she closed her eyes for a moment to better feel the man's grassy-woodsy, forest-like scent. When she looked up, Zevran was propped up above her, glancing from her eyes to her lips, and although he didn't move closer, his intent was clear.

Dina touched his lips, and although it was a caress, she placed a lock on them. "Zevran, please." Her voice was soft. "Just hold me tonight."

Zevran lowered his head with theatrical speed, his hair sweeping across the girl's face and neck, prompting her to laugh as she brushed aside the sun-coloured strands.

"You're trying to kill me..."

"I'm not." he laughed back.

"When I speak in beautiful metaphors, you don't give in; when I speak plainly, you still don't give in...! I'm using everything I've got, but you still resist! The supply is running out, you know?"

Dina continued to laugh at his playful complaints. Then she stroked Zevran's face, which hovered above her. "Please."

The man, pretending to be offended, sat up. "Argh! Don't look at me like that!"

But as soon as Dina heard Zevran's defensive words and saw him pull away, she leaned forward, sat up, and once again stroked his face. "Please...!"

"Oh, no, my dear, that's not how it works with Zevran. Let me tell you what usually happens: the little girls say no, then no again, and again, until the ever-charming and extremely handsome Zevran keeps at it until the no turns into yes-yes-yesss! But you, priestess of high love, I swear you're toying with me!"

Dina didn't stop giggling. "That's not true. This isn't a game."

"Not a game? Ah! You know full well that Zevran, just as much as he desires your body, cannot say no to your innocent requests either!"

Dina nodded mischievously. "Exactly. That's why it's not a game."

Zevran growled softly, and it was unclear whether he was still pretending to be angry or doing it out of satisfaction, given the small smile at the corner of his mouth. Then suddenly, he lay back on the bed, pulling Dina close to him and wrapping his arms around her. "Ah... you win, my beautiful one."

Dina squirmed a bit, turning toward him and smiling at him up close.

Zevran noticed that the girl's wrist was still encircled by the sheath of her dagger. He leaned in, loosening the brown leather strap with his mouth, then with a single twist of his arm, placed the weapon, sheath and all, on the bedside table.

Dina pulled the blanket over both of them, carefully tucking in the edges. Zevran's hand found hers, and she felt him, with his eyes closed, draw their intertwined hands to his chest. Dina freed her hand from the comforting grip, her fingers sliding over Zevran's chest, her palm pressed against it.

You need to get in here, all the way to my heart.

She saw the light brown eyes gazing at her in the dim light. Finally, she slowly moved closer to Zevran and rested her head on his shoulder.