"Your secrets," Ignis said, and if Liliana wasn't holding his one hand, they would both be cupped gently on her face as he kissed her back, slow and longing like he just wanted to fall into it and get lost on the same wonderful blur that marked their morning, "are always safe with me. I would certainly not want to be the one to tarnish your mystique."

A soft smile, and he brushed a strand of her hair back, though the breeze was likely to push it right back, and his fingers traced along her jawline a moment, trying to imagine the look on her face, the vibrancy of her eyes.

"But I don't think," he added softly, "it's a matter of being completely unaware of my value, 'Iana. It's much more of a matter of where it's placed, and that has always been best in the service of others."