As Talisee buries her face in Madrossi's stomach, overcome by conflicting emotions, he gently strokes her hair.
After a few moments he moves away from her, turns back the corner of the bed covers and helps her to wriggle beneath them. He joins her on the bed, snuggling her in the crook of his arm, touching all down the length of their bodies.
"Talisee my love, I am not going to have sex with you tonight. You are right when you say you aren't ready. I have been blinded by my own desire and that is not fair to you. If we did our magic would likely carry us on a wave of light and pleasure that would change us both, but it might then be too hard to part from you and we must part.
"I don't want to leave you, you know that, and I have been struggling to find a way to shelter you from this war, to keep you safe. I can't keep you safe because in doing that I would deny you the opportunity to become the great woman, great magician and Queen you deserve to be.
"I am certain that Fate has a plan for us, until that plan is clear I cannot deny you the life you deserve. The life of joy and adventure, mystery and laughter that you will have with your friends. I know there will be darkness and fear but I believe you have the strength for that and my heart will be with you... always.
"I don't want you to wait for me, but be discerning in who you choose to be with. Take it slowly and have fun, this shouldn't be so serious, it is pleasure and joy after all. There need be no pain, it is easy for me with my magic but a tiny weave of life and source in the right place will ensure everything fits together perfectly. I know you study hard so I have no doubt you will work it out.
"I want to hold you, to fall asleep with you in my arms, to know what it feels like to be wrapped in your love. I do not deserve your love, Talisee, that I have it is a miracle. You have given me a chance to be a different man and I adore you for that.
"I must set you free as you have set me free. This is my gift to you: live your life. I am yours, Talisee, to do with as you please, but it might be best if we just sleep."
Talisee smiles at him. "Sleep is what I was intending two hours ago. You do like to
complicate things, don't you?"