Mor laughed, light and airy, as she slid closer to Brooks. "I know that," she said, and pressed a kiss to Brooks' cheek. She kept her arms around his neck, keeping him close. "It's one of your many charms."

She angled herself in front of him, pressing herself closer. She had half a thought of climbing onto his lap, but then it would be harder to feign innocence later, when someone came back to find them.

They wouldn't have privacy for another few weeks, but she was excited for it when they did have it — even though she had not yet told Brooks that she did not want children. (Not until she'd done her ritual, at least.)