Krem slid down off gate and wrapped his arms around Hild. He held her a moment, and then took one hand and led her in a jaunty, spinning reel around the main aisle of the barn.

The thought of it, livestock and farming and making their own fabrics, it all inspired a riot in his chest. Love and tenderness and a joy that he barely knew how to describe. He looked over his shoulder as he worked his and Hild's dance in circles, and smiled at Gannicus.

It was more than he'd ever dreamt he might have. And it could be theirs.