Mint and Honey

[heartofcourage]

Yasmine had even bought a few things for his brother and sisters. She knew Ruari would like book of Arabic that she had picked up, especially if he was intent on learning the language for himself. For the girls, she sent back beautiful scarves of their own. There was so much variety and color in the fabrics that they could choose to wear them however they wanted.

 

[KieranSoares]

They didn't arrive back at the palace til just before dinner, where Yasmine's family had gathered as well as Haroun and Ibrahim's loves. Everything seemed so comfortable, but Aida disappeared momentarily and then returned with her mysterious, very nervous new partner.

 

[heartofcourage]

It made Yasmine smile as she looked around the table at everyone gathered. For the first time in a long time, it seemed that everyone was happy. Her grandfather had a smile on his face that she hadn't seen since her grandmother had passed away. Her uncle was doting on his partner and Aida wasn't afraid to bring her lover out to introduce her to the entire family. If they didn't stick together, they knew that they had nothing.

 

[KieranSoares]

Alex managed to slowly get Aida's love to open up, treating her with a welcoming and gentleness she clearly wasn't used to in men, which explained why she had risked pursuing a love with another woman.

 

[heartofcourage]

"You still haven't properly introduced us, Aida." Yasmine commented, looking over at her sister with an expectant look.

 

[KieranSoares]

Aida looked between her sister and her love with a smile. "I suppose I forgot. Yasmine, this is Sahine Sadhar." Yasmine knew the family name, a family of stringent and pious weavers and tailors known fairly well in Palmyra. They were responsible for some of the royal family's everyday clothing and many horse blankets and decorative rugs, which was probably how Aida had met her.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Sahine. It is very nice to meet you properly." Yasmine said with a smile as she looked towards Alex. "You'll find our family a little intimidating, but we are all bark and no bite."

 

[KieranSoares]

"That's not true at all," Alex chuckled to himself, making Sahine give a small smile.

"It's an honor to be welcomed to the palace," Sahine answered softly. "I didn't expect such hospitality."

 

[heartofcourage]

"You should never doubt hat you have a place here." Yasmine said softly.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Of course you are," Ibrahim agreed. "You will find my family rather accepting. A trait I am learning from them."

Sahine bowed her head respectfully to him, a bit spooked at being among royalty and being spoken to so casually.

 

[heartofcourage]

Yasmine smiled as Aida doted on her lover and her grandfather and uncle seemed to do the same. She gently leaned her head over onto Alex's shoulder, resting there with a soft sigh.

 

[KieranSoares]

Alex freed one hand to take her own, his head leaning against hers as he listened to the conversation around them. It was a simple and peaceful moment, one that Alex enjoyed thoroughly.

Dinner was simple, and talk eventually turned to Alex leaving the next day. Alex didn't make a big deal of it, but Ibrahim and Haroun made sure to have everything Alex would need packed for him and they all spent a long while together after dinner before turning in.

As Alex walked with Yasmine to spend his last night in her room, he looked around the halls realizing he'd miss Palmyra. He'd never gotten to know many people well there outside the palace thanks to the language barrier, but he'd become close with the royal family and the city itself. Once in Yasmine's room, Alex drew her in close and held her for a long moment.

 

[heartofcourage]

"It's not forever, Alex." Yasmine said softly as he held her tightly once they were back in their private rooms. "Just something that will keep us apart for a short amount of time."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I know. But I'll miss you. So I don't want to waste this." He pressed a kiss to her lips at that.

 

[heartofcourage]

"I don't want you focusing on me. You focus on your family. They deserve to be spoiled after everything that has happened." Yasmine said with a small smile as he kissed her to not waste the moment.

 

[KieranSoares]

"I'll spoil them when I get there," he assured her with another kiss before he went to get ready for bed.

 

[heartofcourage]

Yasmine chuckled as they each got ready for bed, Yasmine snuggling up against his side when they were finally under the sheets. She let out a small sigh her head resting against his shoulder.

"If something happens when we part, don't trust any news that reaches you until you see something from me personally. I'll send you the silver ring that you gave me so that you know it is sincere." Yasmine said softly.

 

[KieranSoares]

Alex's brow furrowed. "What do you expect to happen that someone would lie to me about?"

 

[heartofcourage]

"Alex, we're in the middle of a war. You don't know who you can and can't trust." She said softly, looking at him with a furrowed brow. "You can't just put blind faith in someone."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I know that. I just don't know who'd bother to target me. I'm nothing special. I wouldn't tip the war."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Think about your family and how they have been desperately waiting for you." Yasmine said softly. "Think about what would happen if you were killed. I know I wouldn't be able to function."

 

[KieranSoares]

Alex held her tighter. "Alright," he murmured. "I'll be careful."

 

[heartofcourage]

Yasmine was quiet after that, slumbering next to Alex off and on until she finally gave up and made love to him instead. She loved him as much as she possibly could until dawn, only slowing when she knew that he had to leave. She was sad as she lay naked next to him, her arms wrapped around his chest as they watched the sky lighten outside his window.

 

[KieranSoares]

Knowing he could sleep on the ship and not feeling tired anyway, Alex gladly welcomed Yasmine's love and enjoyed her company til the light of the sun peeked through the window. Lying sated and reluctant to leave her, Alex's sure and slender hands caressed her skin, over her hips and up her back, touching her cheek before kissing her now and then. Finally, slowly, he rose from her side and dressed wordlessly.

 

[heartofcourage]

Yasmine watched him for a long moment before she soon joined him, dressing for herself before they gathered up the last of his belongings and went to get something to eat from the kitchens. She held his hand tightly the entire time, not really wanting to let him go.