The Sea Dunes Inn and Tavern

[Idrial]

Idrial had been so taken in with the amazing display of light that she nearly missed what Vilik had said. Her heart pounded a bit faster as she realized what he'd said. She also felt him tense behind her after he'd said it. Then worry filled her. What if he'd said it, then regretted it? Why else would he have tensed up? Idrial bit her lip for a moment before glancing back toward him. "Are you alright?" She asked softly.

[Vilik]

Vilik smiled as she turned her gaze his way. He cursed himself for not being able to read her face. What was she thinking he wondered. He swallowed hard and glanced down, giving a half hearted laugh under his breath. "Of course I am alright." His grip around her waist tightened and he looked back into her eyes, searching for some sign of what her thoughts were.

[Idrial]

Idrial caught hint of his nervousness, and her own nerves became the slightest bit edgy. She felt his grip upon her waist tighten, and she looked up meeting his gaze. After a few moments she moved forward and kissed him lightly before leaning back to look up at him once more. "I mean...I-I just felt you tense up, and I didn't know if you regretted what you said...and I..." she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and glanced back toward the sunrise, unsure of what else to say.

[Vilik]

VIlik's grip loosened a bit and he smiled, letting out a small sigh. "No, I said nothing I regret saying...," There was no deciet in his face as he looked into her eyes, only relief. He gave a warm smile and pulled her into an embrace. He thought to say more, but words escaped him for the moment and he just held her there for some time.

[Idrial]

Idrial let out a sigh of relief as well, letting him draw her close. She buried her face in the front of his shirt, breathing in his scent for a moment before leaning back to look up into his eyes. "Do you really love me?" There was a mixture of worry and hope showing in her eyes, but she said no more as she awaited his response.

[Vilik]

Thoughts flooded his mind as she asked her question. The feeling had been welling up in him sense the whole experience in the cursed dessert fortress. In the past few days it had grown, and though he ignored it and dared not think of it, he knew the what the feeling was. He held her for a moment longer then pulled back. his hands slid to and helder her face as he looked into her eyes. "I do." He said simply.

[Idrial]

Idrial's breathing quickened at his words as he held her face and looked down at her. She blinked, causing a tear to spill over and run down her cheek. Though it was not a tear of sadness. She reached up and placed her hands over top of his, the sunrise now completely forgotten in her mind. "You do?" The fact of what he'd said only beginning to register in her mind.

[Vilik]

He looked down at her and wiped away the tear from her cheek. He grinned as he replied, "Aye, I do. I should have hoped saying it would not have upset you so." He bent forward and kissed her slowly, noting that the taste of her lips seemed somewhat sweeter now that he had revealed his feelings. He kissed her for a long moment then hugged her again, holding her head softly against his chest.

[Idrial]

Idrial smiled at his words. "You haven't upset me.." she was about to say more, but her words were cut short by his kiss. She revelled in his embrace as he held her close. This was a position she could stay in forever. She looked up to meet his gaze, searching his eyes. The gentle rocking of the boat would have lulled her to sleep were she not standing, and the spectacular sunrise in the background made it a perfect moment.

[Vilik]

"Well, I hope you feel this sunrise was worth the effort of peeling yourself out of bed." He smiled down at her, searching her face, wondering if she shared his feelings. He held the embrace for a few moments longer. The morning wind picked up and the gulls were now once again circling overhead. "Well, Idrial, I suppose I should hoist the anchors and set sail."

[Idrial]

"It was worth it for more than just the sunrise," Idrial said with a smile as he looked down at her. As he spoke of hoisting the sales she nodded. "Alright." She was reluctant to step back from him at first, but finally did, glancing toward the door that led below deck. "Unless you need my help with anything, I think I'm going to go down below and get a little sleep," she said with a groggy smile.

[Vilik]

He laughed, "I think I can manage it. You can help by keeping a warm place for me below, I'll be along shortly." He watched her as she turned and went below then went about the business of hoisting the anchors and setting the sails. Once the boat was moving and on course he tied off the wheel and clamoured down the stairs. He walked into the cabin to find Idrial laying peacefully beneath the sheets. He climbed in beside her, pulling the blanket snuggly around them and put his arm around her. His head had barely hit the pillow before he was fast asleep.

[Idrial]

Idrial awoke only briefly as Vilik climbed into bed and tucked his arm around her. She watched him for a brief moment before sleep claimed her again as well. It was a few good hours before she finally woke from her slumber. She stretched slightly before realizing that Vilik's arm held her in place. At that, she stopped moving, not wanting to wake him before he was ready to be awakened.

[Vilik]

Some moments after Idrial had awoken Vilik also stirred from slumber. His eyes opened slowly and he stretched to see if Idrial was still sleeping. He glanced out the window and judged it to be noon. He whispered into Idrial's ear, "Its time you woke, dear." He then saw her eyes were partially opened, "Or it seems you already have. Did you sleep well?"

[Idrial]

Idrial glanced over at him and nodded, stifling a yawn. "Yes, I did." She placed a kiss on his lips. "How long have we been sleeping?" She asked, nestling herself against him, not wanting to rise from the bed just yet. It's warmth, along with the warmth of Vilik, comforted her.