A brush appeared in his hand and Aria smiled, sitting before him. Bolt had always used the action of brushing her long hair as one would stroke a worry stone and his desires had obviously not changed. "Do you brush the Quanne's hair?"

"Of course. I have always found the simple task relaxing. You know that."

"Yes, I do. Now tell me about the variance of lives."

He began at the bottom of her hair, removing the knots as he spoke. "What I have here is not just immortality. You can choose the time of your death by killing yourself, but even if you don't want to die, death can claim you. Life is in charge of your destiny and as you have seen over the years, good thing happen as well as bad. That's no longer true for me. No one can hurt me here. There are no threats and dangers. I'm no longer touched by the rules of living. I don't have to eat to remain healthy, I cannot become ill or injured because my body would promptly heal itself. I can choose to sleep with the Quanne, or stay awake, as I no longer really need sleep. Every choice in my life is my own. The only rules are that I remain here and keep the Quanne happy. She in turn keeps the Hinnos happy and we all live a merry little life of harmony. I suppose that it explains why I have become extra sensitive to your emotions. I no longer feel them on my own. There is no stress, sadness or pain. If I want it, I simply snap my fingers and ask with my mind. I need nothing, I want for nothing. That, my dear, is true immortality."

"I don't mean to question your reality, but doesn't it get boring down here?"

"On occasion. I can usually find something to do and if I can't, I lie down and go to sleep. I can stay that way for a moment or a phase, it doesn't matter. Sleep is nothing more than an escape from boredom."

Bolt chuckled and dropped the brush, dragging her back against his chest. He turned her head to the side, his tongue rolling over her lips. He didn't engage her in a kiss, but rather, teased her with playful licks to her face. "The only thing I truly miss is making love to you."

* * * *

Bolt was gone and Aria dropped to the bed, jumping when he appeared standing over her. "Did I mention that I can move anywhere with a simple thought?"

"No, you didn't."

He dropped down to kneel over her, his grin filled with mischief. "Will you allow me to please your body, my lady?"

"Do we have nothing in common without sex?"

"Of course we do. It has just been an eternity since I made love to you. When it last happened we were in the woods and I allowed Keir to come into my body to speak to you. I finally have you all to myself and I want to amaze you."

"How do you plan to accomplish that feat? Not much amazes me anymore."

"You will see."