Reinette had to remind her body of the benefits of breathing, for it seemed steadily content to ignore such things. Mind and self argued for a moment before she finally pulled a first, shuddered breath. It occurred to her then that her throat was tender, raw from when she had cried out.

I am not afraid of this. Or you. More thoughts processed themselves boldly. But as they still remained connected, him with her, bold it seemed she could be. Or us.

She lifted one hand to free his shoulder of the tangle of her hair, and pressed a kiss to the skin she exposed.