Minewin dropped the needle again , cursing softly before sighing.

"Sine?"

An orange-haired man stepped from the deep shadows of one corner of the room. He wore a dusty brown cloak that he pitched off in one fluid motion.

"What is it?"

Minewin set his mending on the table and rose from where he sat.

"Were you here?"

"No. I was watching the sun set from a private beach near the land of the clan of assassins," Sine replied, smiling.

"And what does the sunset look like from that beach?" Minewin asked.

"Cleansing Fire," Sine said. "I can take you there."

"It would hurt you," Minewin commented, stepping to Sine and raising a hand to trace the line of Sine's jaw. "I will not hurt you."

"I would do it," Sine replied, face stern. "I did offer. It is the truth."

"And I would not hurt you," Minewin insisted, lightly kissing where he'd just touched.

"What can I do for you this eve?" Since asked, letting himself be pulled into Minewin's embrace.

"My eyes are too tired to sew but my mind and body do not follow," Minewin answered.

"Shall I find a more competent tailor?"

"I'd rather you just wore me out," Minewin stated, bringing his lips to those of the shadow creature.

"There are spells for that," Sine said, chuckling until he surrendered to the kiss.

Minewin plunged his tongue into Sine's mouth, tasting the sweet empty oblivion of the Spectir as he grabbed at the bottom of Sine's shirt.

"That wasn't quite what I had in mind," Minewin said, barely pulling away to speak. Even if Sine didn't entirely look or taste human, he responded like one.

From just that kiss, Minewin could feel Sine hard against him. And Minewin knew just how to please his counselor and lover. He knew how to please the only one he had to return to after battle.

Hands roaming up Sine's back, Minewin thrust gently up against Sine, letting the Spectir feel his equal arousal.

"I was thinking of you while out there," Sine said. "That beach is a place for lovers."

"Some day," Minewin replied. "When the last of the battles are written as history."

"Yes," Sine gasped as his shirt was pulled free. "Yes."

His pants were next, sharing a quick removal with his dusty, sandy boots. And naked, still being kissed and caressed, Sine was lead to lie down and be patient.

Minewin was already without his shirt- that was the sewing project of the evening, torn while helping a stable-hand with a spooked Kinai stallion. And his boots had been tossed at the door, dirty and much too hot.

His pants strained, looking as awkward as they felt. Eyes not leaving Sine, Minewin undid them quickly and pulled them down, careful of his erection. Stepping out of his pants, he smiled before reaching back to undo the binding on his hair. Black poured over him, much too long and somewhat unkept.

Sine smiled too.

"And I do not need a cleansing fire when presented with such a desirable knight," Sine commented.

"I will give you white hot bliss." Minewin crawled onto the bed, covering Sine's body with his own. "My eyes may blur when I stitch, but I do think I could have you until the sun rises and shines through this palace."

"I would be without shadows," Sine replied. "I would have to sleep."

Minewin pressed Sine's legs apart with his own, both of them laughing for a quick moment after they cast the same spell at the same time.

Pushing forward, Minewin kissed Sine, knowing it wasn't more than affection. There was no pain to distract from - Sine's body gave easily, enveloping Minewin's arousal in tight heat.

Their bodies rocked together, creating a beautiful friction. Sine was moaning, pressing back as Minewin thrust roughly into Sine's body. Their bed creaked and shuddered, it's protests countering the pleasured cries from both men.

Minewin couldn't help but feel that he was abusing his mist-born counselor, yet it was hard to hang on to that feeling when Sine cried his name.

Coming first, Sine's orgasm began the rolling spiral of Minewin's own climax. It hadn't been a long bout of lovemaking, but certainly intense.

And he had never worn fatigue well.

"I will always come when you call," Sine murmured, burying his face in Minewin's hair as they settled beside one another.

It was the way of the Spectirs, of course, but somehow coming from Sine's lips, it was sincere and not just a statement of duty.

But it was hard to love one bound to him in such a way. It almost seemed unfair.

Besides, Minewin knew he could never handle having his heart broken again.