Aw, shucks. You guys are the best readers a girl can ask for! Thanks so much for the feedback on these. Someone suggested that I do some not-center-stage pairings...and I have to admit, it's tempting. I might -- MIGHT -- do a meshed chapter...a handful of ships that aren't necessarily in the spotlight, thrown together. Yes, or no?

1. Unreadable

Aly gazed across the square, her mind buzzing with plans as she observed the goings-on. A flash of red material caught her eye. She looked to see Sarai laughing in front of the smithy beside Nawat, batting her eyelashes flirtatiously. Aly's stomach twinged at the sight, but Nawat seemed indifferent. His eyes traveled away from the noble girl until they found Aly, and he smiled. A not entirely unpleasant shiver swept through Aly. The look in his eyes unnerved her, like he knew what she was feeling. But he couldn't. Aly was unreadable.

2. Celebration

Aly leaned against Nawat, letting the distant music of Dove's celebration flow over her. Nawat's hands ran up and down her spine. She trailed her fingers through his hair. Her entire body ached with the need to feel him, all of him. She crushed her lips against his soft ones, putting all she felt into it. She knotted her hands in his shirt as his palms pressed against her back. In the back of her mind, Aly knew they should escape to their rooms, but most of her didn't care: she was with Nawat, and that was all that mattered.

3. Surprise

Aly sat in her office, pouring over her newest set of notes. She was so transfixed on the papers, she didn't hear her door swing silently open, or notice the soft footsteps as a man walked towards her. She did notice, however, when the man swept her up into his arms, pressing soft kisses against her neck, her cheeks, and finally, her lips. The earthy scent of Nawat filled her nostrils as Aly gasped softly in surprise. Nawat chuckled lowly as Aly turned to meet his embrace, thinking that this kind of surprise maybe wasn't so awful.

4. Relaxation

Nawat and Aly stared at each other, their hands entwined under the sheets. Nawat's finger trailed up and down her arm in a soothing line, easing Aly's stressed muscles. Aly closed her eyes. She knew, without a doubt, that she was lucky to have someone as wonderful as Nawat to come home to. Feeling truly content for the first time all day, Aly snuggled closer to her lover, pressing her face into his neck. Nawat gently hooked a finger below her chin and lifted her face to his. Just before their lips touched, Aly heard him whisper, "I love you."

5. Home

Nawat stared out at the palace courtyard. He imagined he was back home, on the island. He knew he had made the right choice, but sometimes…

Soft footsteps approached. "Sometimes," Aly said quietly, appearing at his side, "I imagine I'm still in Tortall."

Nawat looked at his lover. There was homesick understanding in her eyes. They were both foreigners in new worlds, learning to survive. Together. She took his hand. He squeezed it lightly, feeling more at home with her than he ever had on Tanair. And looking at her now, at her smile, he knew she felt the same.

6. Oblivion

For the first time in weeks, they were together again. Aly's hands explored her lover as his lips reclaimed her skin, exalting in their reunion. They lay there, tangled in each other, unwilling to separate, their hearts light as air. Aly couldn't remember being so happy. Nawat stared hard at her, his fingers tracing her cheekbones. He cupped her cheek in his hand.

"Marry me," he whispered. Aly's eyes widened. Nawat felt her hand start shaking in his.

"Yes," she replied—and then they were kissing again, the rest of the world falling into oblivion.

7. Titles

Nawat ran a hand over his wife's swollen stomach. He could hardly believe that the beautiful creature in his bed was his wife. Wife. It was a delicious word, better than any bug, one Nawat still loved to hear, even now, weeks after Aly had first become his, and he hers. And soon they would claim a new title, as thrilling as it was terrifying: parents.

Soft fingers wound themselves through Nawat's. He looked up to see Aly watching him. He smiled and squeezed her fingers. He knew they would make it through whatever was ahead of them.

8. Perfect

Aly walked into the nursery, her daughter balanced on her hip, as Asha's head drooped onto her shoulder. Nawat followed them, watching as Aly gently placed their daughter into her cot. He put an arm around his wife, folding her against his side. Aly leaned into him. They watched Asha for a moment, watched her chest rise and fall like each movement was a miracle. Aly didn't think there could be a more perfect moment, with Nawat by her side, Asha peacefully asleep, and she prayed to the Goddess that Asha would have as happy a life as she had.

9. Air

Aly's toes tapped against the floor as she stared through a window. She knew she was being irritating, but she didn't care. Suddenly she gasped. In a flash she was on her feet and out the door. She flew through the halls, throwing open the doors and sprinting into the courtyard. A tall, achingly familiar man stood there, his eyes on his fast-approaching wife hungrily. Aly threw herself into Nawat's arms, crushing her lips against his with burning intensity. She couldn't breathe, but she didn't need air, not when Nawat was there, holding onto her like he'd never let go.

10. Proud

Kyprioth sat in his divine home, gazing at the image of his old ward. Aly Crow was asleep, wrapped securely in the arms of her crow-husband, a small smile on her oft-serious face. In another room, the Trickster knew, their child slept, well into her toddler years. Aly was no longer the wandering young girl he had chosen. She was a wife, a mother, a spy. And she was happy. Kyprioth smiled. He'd grown attached to the girl, and her small family.

"Sleep, Aly-girl," he said, "you've done well. I'm proud."

Well, there we go. This was fun. I'm not working on any Tammy stuff at the moment (unless you want that chapter, I suppose...), but I am working on a The Mortal Instruments, by Cassandra Clare, fic. If you haven't read it, I really, really advise you do! Hopefully some of you have read it, and will be willing to check it out once I get it up. :D

Anyway. Thanks as usual for your amazing comments! It was so great hearing from you all again. :P I promise I won't disappear for so long next time!

Love and productivity,
Brighteyes