At the bow, Vex took Quinlan's hands from the railing and brought them around her waist.
"Will you hold me, Hubby?"
He stepped closer behind her, settling his palms over her belly. The next swell lifted the ship beneath them, and she leaned back into his chest while white water broke along the hull.
"Perfect..." she announced, covering his hands with hers.
They were sailing north along Avaranth's western coast toward Orathis. Sarthal had disappeared behind them, but the land remained visible to their right, its headlands stretching away into the distance.
Out to their left, sunlight glittered across open water. Quinlan looked past Vex's white hair toward the distant sail Blossom had spotted, enjoying the wind against the little of his face the visor left exposed.
"Do you think they have pretty places there?"
"In Orathis?"
"Mm. Gardens. Nice streets. Somewhere a girl might enjoy walking with her husband."
"I'm sure we can find somewhere. What would you like?"
