Siv had not been pleased by the arrangement, yet had agreed with a heavy heart that they could do this.
“And it will make our reunion that much sweeter,” she had said, though he had seen the tears bright in her eyes.
It had taken all he possessed simply to lift his bag.
Mattan had hidden shyly behind her legs.
Urianger had crouched and opened his arms, and at once the boy had run into them, clinging tight about his neck. He pressed a kiss to Mattan’s cheek, and his chest tightened painfully.
“I shall miss thee, and shall see thee again very soon.”
Mattan held fast for another moment, then let him go.
Urianger rose and drew Siv into a tight embrace. Pressing a kiss into her hair near her ear, he whispered, “And I shall see thee soon, my Song. I love thee so.”
He felt Siv cling to him all the tighter in answer.
“I love you too,” she murmured. “Very much.”