The time after ascension will not let me go now. That's why I have to get rid of a tiny part of it. It's just a short conversation, but it's an important decision. It has taken them many years to get to this point, the journey began before they ascended. -------------
Sitting on the large divan, Tishlia gazed thoughtfully into the fireplace. Daeran filled two glasses with deep red wine, its heavy bouquet spreading gently into the warm room, and handed one to her. She took the glass, but instead of looking at the wine, she looked deep into her husband's eyes, searching for some clue that might help her answer her questions. But this time neither his look nor his smug smile told her what he was thinking, after all these years he succeeded in keeping her in the dark from time to time. He wouldn't be able to do it for long, she already noticed that he was struggling to keep his expression blank and gave him a disarming smile. He tried to fight it for a moment, but she saw the corners of his mouth twitch and had to smirk. They both had to laugh at Daeran's failed attempt to not be the first to break the silence.
"Actually, I could just laugh and be silent again. Why can't I? When you want to hear my opinion, it's like your eyes are talking to me non-stop and it's unbearable not to answer. I won't be able to in 500 years." He sat down beside her and Tishlia put her glass on the table and snuggled against him, her arms around his waist.
"You're getting better, anyway, I have no idea what you're going to say, which makes me unbearably curious. I want to hear your opinion first, I don't want to start."
"I don't want to either. But I guess we'll have to talk about what to do with this offer." Daeran turned to her more directly and wrapped his arms around her as well. He pulled her close to him and they continued their conversation, nestled close together.
"We have to. We both like having him around, but that's not the question. Tell me what you think."
"You know, my goddess, I've never held back on what I think, not even this time. You are mine and I am yours, I will never let anything come between us."
Daeran paused for a moment, stroked his beloved wife's hair, smiled at her and continued. "When you are in possession of an indescribable masterpiece, you look for a frame for it. One that will protect it and enhance its incredible beauty. I think he could be our frame."
"That was wonderfully poetic."
"I tell you that our love is an indescribably beautiful masterpiece, and you keep avoiding telling me what you think?"
Tishlia chuckled at the accusation and tenderly kissed the lips that had accompanied her for so many years. "I'm just always fascinated by how good you are with words, and I find your description exceedingly fitting. These past few weeks he has made us shine, never you or me, always us. He wants what we are, he enjoys us, I think coming between us is not in his interest at all. He plays around us…"
"… like a spring breeze. We're on the same side, I guess?" The look he gave her was open and completely honest. No fear, no doubt, no suspicion, he wanted it as much as she did.
"We are. He's going to stay. Let's get him out of waiting."
The count and countess were ready to implement a decision they would never have thought possible before their ascension, but which now felt as natural as the kiss they shared before leaving the room. As they stepped out onto the porch, a slightly lascivious, questioning smile greeted them from under two curious, sparkling black eyes.
