Seeing the gemstones that Donovan held out, Dean smiled – a little earnest emotion showing through. This could be it, right? Their ticket out of the tower. And, the best part was that so far no one had to deal with any sort of horrible assault. No fly-engorged stomachs to pump, no venom sacs to milk for antidotes. Just in and out. Slick and clean as a whistle.<br/><br/>Truly uneventful on all ends. The drow had her pet dog and would, no doubt, go her own way. The duo would have the separation clause for their unwilling marriage – happily ever after. A shame about the drow though. She looked like she should have a rockin’ body.<br/><br/>Ah, well. Striding over, Dean looked down at the stones and prodded one with his fingertip. He immediately felt a small jolt, a jerking, an easing of the connection that bonded he and Donovan. Not a breaking, as he had anticipated – but then again, it was only a caress. Perhaps both of them holding one was the key? Regardless, they could figure all of that out once they were free and clear.<br/><br/>“Alright, let’s go. Unless you want to really piss her off and toss her trapped book too?” Clearly, it was a trap. But maybe…one last kick of the snake’s nest?<br/><br/>Ah. No. Probably not. Being slaves to one another for years had taken the never-quite-pleasant thrill out of deliberately making their lives horrible in the worst way he knew how. Now, Dean was eager to start his own life. Free and clear.<br/>