The pillars of creation

Jennsen, not wanting to separate from Sebastian, instead grabbed his arm and pulled him back across the landing, past couples on benches, past those in lines at counters, past people standing back in the shadows, embracing, and into one of the dark empty niches. Panting from the effort of their long run, she put her shoulders into the narrow nook back between the rear of a stand and a pillar. She drew Sebastian around in front of her, so that his back would be to the soldiers.

With his hood up as it was, they wouldn't see much of him. If they noticed them at all, they would only see enough to notice she was a woman. They would look like nothing more than a couple of completely unremarkable people. Jennsen put her arms around Sebastian's waist so they would took like any of the other ordinary couples spending a few moments alone with each other.

It was quieter back in their small sanctuary. The sound of their heavy breathing drowned out the voices not far away. Most people couldn't see them, and the ones who could have were turned to other things. It had made Jennsen uncomfortable and awkward to watch couples snuggled together as she and Sebastian were now, so she imagined it would be the same for other people. It looked to her that she was right; no one paid any attention to a young couple embracing and obviously wanting to be by themselves.

Sebastian's hands were on her waist. Her hands held his back, so that they would look the part as they waited for the soldiers to pass. She was grateful beyond words that the good spirits had helped her get Sebastian out.

"I never thought I'd see you again," he whispered, for the first time alone with her since he'd been released, for the first time able to say what he wanted.

Jennsen looked away from the passing people, into his eyes, and saw how earnest he was. "I couldn't leave you there."

He shook his head. "I can't believe what you did. I can't believe how you talked your way into that place. You had them wrapped around your will. How did you manage such a thing?"

Jennsen swallowed, feeling at the edge of tears from the rush of emotion, the fear, the elation, the panic, the triumph. "I had to, that's all. I had to get you out." She checked to be sure that no one was near before she went on. "I couldn't stand the thought of you being in there, or of what they might do to you. I went to Althea, the sorceress, for help-"

"That's how you managed it, then? Her magic?"

Jermsen shook her head as she gazed up into his eyes. "No. Althea couldn't help me-it's a long story. She told me how she's been to your homeland, to the Old World." She smiled. "Like I said, it's a long story for another time. It has to do with the pillars of Creation."

One eyebrow lifted. "You mean, she's actually been there?"

:,What?"

'The Pillars of Creation-she really went there when she was in the Old World?" His gaze followed a distant soldier for a moment. "You said it has something to do with how she helped you. She actually saw the place?"

"What…? No… she couldn't help me. She said that I had to do it on my own. I was terrified for you. I didn't know what to do. Then, I remembered what you told me about bluffing."

Jennsen frowned with a curious squint. "What do you mean about her seeing the. ."

But then her words, her very thought, trailed off as he gazed into her eyes and smiled that wonderful smile of his.

"I've never seen anyone pull off anything like that."

It felt unexpectedly wonderful knowing that she had surprised himpleased him.

His arms felt so good, so powerful. Pressed back into the shadows, he was holding her close. She could feel his warm breath on her cheek.

"Sebastian… I was so afraid. I was so afraid I'd never see you again. I was so afraid for you."

"I know."

"Were you afraid, too?"

He nodded. "I could only think about how I'd never see you again."

His face was so close she could feel the warmth radiating from his skin. She could feel the entire length of his body, his legs, his torso, pressed against her as his lips gently brushed hers. Her heart pounded at a furious pace.

But then he pulled back, as if having second thoughts. She was thankful for his arms because, realizing that he had almost kissed her, she wasn't sure her legs would hold her up, just then. What a heady notion a kiss stolen in the shadows like this would have been. Almost a kiss.

Feet shuffled past nearby, but the people seemed miles away. Jennsen felt completely alone with Sebastian, weak in his arms. Safe in his arms.

He drew her closer, then, as if overcome, as if he was in the grip of something he could no longer control. She saw in his eyes a kind of helpless surrender.

He kissed her.

Jennsen stood rock still, surprised that he was actually doing it, kissing her, holding her in his arms, just like she had seen lovers doing.

And then her arms tightened and she was holding him, too, kissing him back.

She had never imagined that anything could feel so wonderfully intoxicating.