“You lead an army that has conquered a kingdom,” she said, her back to him. “What does that make you, Qurrah? A king? A warlord? Does that make me your queen, Qurrah?”

“You are finer than any queen,” Qurrah said, sliding out of bed. “Prettier, and far less inbred.”

“Cute,” she said. “But if I am a queen, then I should dress like one.”

She pulled out a crimson dress. She smiled, then slipped it over her head. The fabric hung from her skinny body, the sleeves long and elegant. Gold trim lined the hem around the neck, sparkling in the low light. Tessanna flicked her hair behind her shoulders and smiled at her lover.

“Like?” she asked.

Her face gorgeous, her hair long and healthy, her dress thin and sensual and red: Qurrah could only laugh at such a ridiculous question.

“Of course I do,” he said. “You’re beautiful.”

She tilted her head so that he could see the ear she had cut. Already it had grown back, albeit a little pinker. The five scars on her face had faded, now only sharp lines that added an exoticness to her face. Qurrah was stunned by the rapid rate of her healing. Tessanna was the daughter of a goddess; of that he had no doubt.

“I won’t cut myself like that again,” she said, suddenly shy and quiet. “I don’t know why I did. Mommy had left me, and breaking, becoming me again, it suddenly felt so terrible. I couldn’t bear it, and you weren’t awake, not yet…”

“I’m awake now,” he said, wrapping his arms around her. “And I’ll always be here for you.”

“The demons are ready to move out,” she said. “They want to hunt. Velixar has convinced them to leave the elves for later, for when we have more forces. The humans should be far easier prey.”

“Who will guard the portal should the elves attempt to destroy it?” Qurrah asked.

The girl shrugged. “Those that continue to pass through. It appears their army is limitless, and perhaps it is. This world is doomed, Qurrah, and I can’t wait until we escape to a new one.”