She hummed to herself as she moved to the foyer, the silky champagne coloured caftan swishing as she walked. The middle was cinched at her waist and had two rows of clear faux stones that caught the light. A pair of black sheru with gold embroidery softened her steps on the hard floor as she made her to the door. She opened it and broke into a grin that matched the one on her guest.

Dash stepped in and let the door close before he swept her into a deep and all encompassing kiss. Eela sank into it, cursing the hours since last night’s gala. As much as they both had wanted to spend the night together, they were both tired and they already had this date night planned. She had spent the day with Caridee, Kian and Alais, and they went swimming in the pool downstairs. It had been an enjoyable time, but this right here was something she had been craving

“Well, hello,” she said as she finally pulled back.

He drew his fingers through her hair and alongside her face, pushing errant locks out of the way. “Hello.”

Eela took his hand and stepped backwards towards the hall, pulling him towards the kitchen. “Dinner is almost ready but I thought we could open some wine.”

“Sounds good to me. How are you feeling today, after last night?”

She smiled as she milled about gathering wine glasses and a corkscrew. “You know what? Really tired, but last night went as well as I could have hoped. There are some things I am mindful of as we move forward but honestly, I feel hope. And then today has been relaxing and lovely, I’m just in a great mood.”

He grinned again. “I can tell. I love seeing you smile,” he said more seriously. “You are someone who deserves to smile more than they do.”

Eela leaned over and planted a kiss on his cheek before pouring a glass of wine. “You make me smile, and I’m grateful for that.” Despite the smile on his face, there was a pulse of worry and uncertainty that she detected from him. “What is it? You’ve been preoccupied a bit lately. Are you alright?”

His lovely blue eyes searched her intense hazel one and he sighed. “There are things to talk about, but I want to enjoy this evening. I promise I’ll tell you tomorrow, okay?”

She tried not to frown, and just nodded. “Okay. If that’s what you need.”

Dashiel chuckled as he slipped an arm around her waist and grabbed one of the wine glasses. “I have everything I need right here. Clarity and problem solving can wait. I just want to enjoy this time with you.”

“Hmm,” she said, her eyes gleaming. “Well, I think I can find ways to make that happen.”

After a lovely dinner of which they almost didn’t get around to eating, Eela was curled up on her side next to Dash, the swathes of vibrant sheer fabric above them on the ceiling. He traced the lines of her face with a fingertip. “I wish I could stay the night.”

“Me too,” she said, her body languid, at peace. “But work calls for both of us.”

“Mathis wants a breakfast meeting. We exchanged a few messages this morning but tomorrow will be a full gala debrief before we go into all the meetings with everyone else.”

Eela nodded. “Makes sense.” She didn’t mind how work crept into their conversation here and there. It was nice that they could let it come and go without a fuss. “Do you have to leave soon, or can you stay awhile longer?”

He leaned in and kissed her lips. “I have time. What’s on your mind?”

“Funny you should ask.” Her eyes were alight and she pulled out of his arms, rolling over carefully to slip out of bed. Standing naked, Eela looked back at him. “Haliians have special ways of deepening a connection. Would you be up to trying one? We’d be sharing our minds, and it can be quite intense, but I promise I won’t go where I’m not wanted.”

Dash propped himself up on his arms and studied the remarkable woman he had grown rather attached to. “I trust you, Eela. With anything. I’m game to try.”

An almost giddy smile slipped onto her face as she grabbed her canar from the special little altar space near her chaise. “I was so hoping you would say that.”

When Dash left another couple of hours later, neither wanted the night to end, but he promised to drop in at her office to see about lunch. After all, he promised her some disclosure and he always kept his promises. But right now they were both filled with a deep sense of knowing about the other. Dash wasn’t even sure how to describe what he experienced in being able to touch her mind the way she naturally could with others, but he did know that it was an extraordinary gift, as was Eela herself.

Dash let himself out and headed home. Lying in bed, Eela let herself just exist in the calm and exquisite beauty of the afterglow. Her body was happily tired and her mind at ease and soon she drifted off to dream very pleasant dreams.

~Eela Dasca & Dashiel Jones