Maric’s kisses and hands on her body sent her blood singing. The wind in her hair and a man’s hands on her love starved body made Nimue want to shout with joy. All too soon they approached the hut where the Black stallion waited.<br/><br/>“ Look the water has receded. Layla can land in the upper meadow and we can walk down to get your horse. He will be looking for you,” she said, leaning hard to the left to guide the dragon down.<br/><br/>The water had indeed receded. The lake was only a little over large now and Nimue could see Rupert guiding the ferry across from the Tor to the mainland. The horse in question was grazing in the meadow by the cottage, splashing through the few puddles that still remained.<br/><br/>Once in the meadow, she picked up his strand of thought concerning their future.<br/><br/>“I would not have you become a farmer. You are far finer than that fate. I will go where you take me. I will serve you well. Bind me to you or allow me to come without being handfast to you, I care not. I will follow you. You are a man and you have a duty to fulfill. Layla can stay here. She and I can communicate across great distance. I fear your guild will despise you for thinking differently than they. I fear the Lady will be angry with me for not wanting to stay. But Maric, I want to be with you.” She suddenly tugged on his hand and pulled it close to her heart. “ Do you feel that? My heart has been wrapped in darkness barely daring to beat, but now it is like a dancing sun. You have brought me fully alive. I will ask the Lady if we can stay in the cottage until such a time as you can leave, if you would be content to live simply for a while.”