“My Am’aleh did not cause your arrest
I alone am responsible for that.
You need not compete with Her, McKinley.
When I worship her I worship you too.”

Breaker reached out a lone callused finger.
He caressed the nape of McKinley’s neck.
Her breath shuddered like a trembling rose.

“I worship Am’aleh for all of us,
For merfolk below and kenkus above.
Bringing glory to her brings glory back,
And lifts us ever higher in her eyes.”

The finger that had touched her neck lifted
Her chin, and he caught her crystal blue eyes.

“Kinley, I love you more than I can say.
If the skies fell down and split on the earth
I would cover you with my own body.
I want to lay with you for hours on end.”

His finger traced down over her middle
Down past her hip as he stepped in closer.
He stood still with his lips a breath from hers.

“Speak to me the names of these so-called gods.
I know kenkus but not of their deities.
I could discover them by my methods,
But I would hear you speak the names of those
Who follow in the footsteps of Draconus.”

He said the name of the Thayne he had slain
Into the soft samite folds of her ear.