by Brey Willows
“Thanks to the tourism trade, the clothing we make in Thalla is really helping the city move forward. We’re even taking in apprentices to learn the trade, but we ask that they stay here to work. Trade secrets and all that.” Liselle grinned and sat back with her hands over her stomach. “Who knew that saving your asses would make our lives so much better?”
Kylin sipped her drink and winked. “I could have told you that anything to do with me would have made your life better.”
They all laughed, and the chatter continued long into the night. Asol stayed behind, since she was working with some young people on new methods to help speed up the dye production in Thalla the next day.
Jessa and Kylin took the flyer back to Fesi. Kylin had moved into the old administrator’s house. She had to take so many meetings and work with so many people it simply hadn’t been possible to stay in her place in Quasi. Asol lived there on her own now, though she didn’t spend a lot of time there, thanks to all the traveling she was doing.
Kylin held Jessa’s hand as they made their way to their bedroom. She pulled Jessa close and kissed her, long and deeply, until Jessa was out of breath. “I’ve missed you.”
Jessa shivered as Kylin slowly unzipped Jessa’s uniform, kissing the exposed skin all the way down. “I’ve missed you too.”
They fell into bed, and as she gave herself to the beauty of what they had, she knew there was no other place she’d ever call home.
About the Author
Brey Willows is a longtime editor and writer. When she’s not running a social enterprise working with marginalized communities on writing projects, she’s editing other people’s writing or doing her own. She lives in the middle of England with her partner and fellow author and spends entirely too much time exploring castles and ancient ruins while bemoaning the rain.
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