Dark, lonely night.

Neera tinkled out a laugh. "It is lovely, and I think it is my new favorite dress. Thank you, Zavian, you have done so much for me that I know I can't repay…"

"Shh, no talks like that now…"

"No, I just have to let you know. There were a lot of times I didn't want to live because my life didn't have any meaning, but with you here, with me," she pressed her palms to his chest. "I wake up each day now, happy and grateful to be alive, and always looking forward to the next because I have you in it and, as I said, concubine or not."