That was as much true to her as it was to him. He had only sought a hunting partner, a new friend, and instead found something else entirely, something much more than that. But then again, that made it all the better still, he thought, that there had been no plans or expectations, all the more pleasant a surprise, simply because neither of them saw it until after it had happened.

Even now, he had the feeling he was yet to see the full picture, so close he was standing to it that he only saw a small part. But he liked being engulfed in it as he was, so he did not once think to step back.

His fingers stroked her face, cupping her jaw as his thumb brushed over her cheek. He rested on his back again, head falling onto the bed lazily, a different sort of elation traveling through him right now. Softly, he added. "Now I really want to braid your hair."