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The fairy lights strung between gazebos cut across the blushing sky, an early imitation of what is to come; the spattering of stars on a clear unbroken sky. For now, the fairy lights blink awake as the sun starts to interrupt the long line of the horizon, where the high tides pull waves to crash against a rocky shore. The wind whips against the fabric sheets hung in each gazebo, the pillars of oak holding them from flying away. Sage’s dress is no different, dancing with the wind that pulls it away from her as the day inches towards its beautiful end. The privacy of each gazebo allows them to quietly weave their hands together, the other guests of the beach unable to parse the image of their interlocked fingers behind the shadows of the dancing sheets and the dying orange light. Even here, they try to be safe, but their love burns in private like a hearth that warms at night.
“You’ve been doing a lot recently,” Sage says, her gaze on the sunset, her hold on Reyna’s tight. “So many deaths.”
“For Lucia.” Reyna replies, curt.
“I know. But how much more? Will it ever be enough? Will you keep fighting just for her?”
“I would kill and die for her. Anything. And anything for you, too.” Reyna lifts their hands and kisses Sage’s on the back of her hand.
Sage clasps Reyna’s hand with both hers. “I don’t need that. I can take care of myself.”
“I know, mi corazón.”
“Our work is dangerous. You’ve been taking on too much.”
“I need the souls for her to live.”
Sage sighs, her breath colourless compared to the vermillion and purple hues of the shifting sky. “Can I give souls to you? Should I talk to Viper?”
“That is not how it works.”
“You worry me.”
“I am grateful,” Reyna squeezes her lover’s hand, their calluses mirroring each other. Calluses built from fighting. Both of their hands are incredibly rough, but Reyna finds the roughness warm and safe. As long as blood flows through those hands.
Sage pries her hand from Reyna, the warmth leaving her to touch the cooling air as the sun sinks deeper into the sea. “I don’t like it. I hate reviving you.” The remnants of the day mixed with the newborn shine of fairy lights strung above are reflected in the wetness in her eyes.
“Forgive me for worrying you.” Reyna finds both of Sage’s hands again and they return home, fingers slotting into place. “All I do is make you worry, and for that I am sorry. But I am always grateful. That I have someone to worry for me, to get angry for me, to protect me when I cannot protect myself. And if I can ask one more thing, and I beg you, please let me ask for one more thing,” Reyna gets down on one knee and opens Sage’s palm upwards, “Please keep worrying for me for the rest of my life and marry me.” Reyna procures a ring from her pocket and slides it into Sage’s ring finger.
Sage gasps and a blush with beauty rivalling all the sunsets on the seven seas erupt on her face. She smiles with her entire face, her soft lips that Reyna loves kissing, curving her cheeks, and happiness decorates her eyes, and Reyna hears the music of romance in her heart. She would give her her own soul, willingly, alongside the hundreds she has taken, if her lover as much wills it. She would tear mountains from their roots and flay cities of their people if it could make Sage happy, as her heart has become fully Sage’s, to despair when her lover is displeased, to relish when her lover is joyous. Her murderous, unworthy heart feels like any path is a righteous path where her bastion lover points towards.
Sage drops to her own knees and starts kissing Reyna, on her lips, her cheek, her brow, anywhere where she can speak love. “I will. I will. Let’s get married.” Her arms wrap around Reyna in an embrace. “It’s beautiful. I love the ring. I love you. You can die ten times and I’ll dig you out and revive you ten times. I love you so much.”
Reyna laughs at her reaction and holds her tenderly. “I love you too,” Reyna says, and they kiss while the sun slips fully downwards and the day slides into a pale moonlit night.