Another unplanned follow up ... ;)

He was mad, sun-addled, surely, and starved of good sense. But sense had ways flown his mind where she was concerned.

Garsiv walked the halls of the palace quickly, his travel robes still trailing dust through the air from his journey. He'd barely given the groom time to catch the reins he threw at the boy before he dismounted and left the courtyard, hurrying away.

He was thirsting for more than water after his time in the desert.

Estimating he had only a few moments to spare before Tus and Dastan would hear of his arrival and seek him out, Garsiv knew he had to move fast.

He finally spotted her emerging from her chamber, alone. Good.

"Tamina."

She turned at the sound of his voice just as he reached her side, but he didn't give her a chance to speak a word before his lips were on her. Encouraging her back into the chamber, he shut the door behind him and leaned back to further enjoy the woman in his arms.

Their lips clung, parted, pressed again, and it still wasn't enough. He grasped her by the back of her thighs, ready to lift and move her further into the room when she spoke.

"No."

The word didn't register straight away, his mind still focussed wholly on her.

"Garsiv, stop."

He groaned, dropping his forehead to her shoulder. "Why should I?"

"We had this discussion already," she whispered.

"No," he said. "You talked and didn't give me a chance to argue. I'm arguing now."

"You've done nothing but kiss me!"

"A solid argument." Her small smile gave him hope when he should have none.

"Persian—"

His lips twisted involuntarily into a snarl. "I'm back to Persian now? You can't even speak my name?"

Eyeing him wearily, Tamina whispered, "Garsiv."

"Again." He stepped closer, crowding her.

"Garsiv, I—"

"Softer. Whisper it."

"Gar—"

He drew her in close, a hand at the back of her neck encouraging her to speak into his ear. The hitch in her breath made him suck in a deep breath of his own.

"Garsiv," she said finally, her lips brushing his cheek.

Groaning, he buried his face against her throat, pressing a kiss hard on her neck, breathing in the scent of incense, oils, and something uniquely Tamina.

"I'm not ready to give you up."

The words were spoken softly against her skin, a whispered secret that he wasn't even sure he wanted her to hear. Her grip flexed where she held his arms, and he watched her throat where the thundering beat of her heart was clearly visible.

She placed a hand on his cheek, forcing him to look at her. "You're making this very hard for me."

"It doesn't have to be," he told her, but she shook her head.

"I'm still married. Nothing has changed."

Voices could be heard in the hallway, making their way closer and closer to Tamina's chamber.

The two lovers separated just as Dastan and Tus burst in, cursing Garsiv for not seeking them out and delighting in his return.

But he continued to look her way until he caught her eye. A blush stole over her face and her gaze skittered away again.

This wasn't over.