Page 151 of Stars in Mist

When the sun reveals its light.

Your body is lithe and straight of limb.

Your body should always be clothed in fine-spun silken robes.

The curves of your breasts are like plump, round fruit.

Hail, Eden, I will know this bliss again

When the night turns dark,

And I am nestled between her breasts,

My life will be fulfilled.

When I lay down to sleep

I rest, assured, she lies right next to me

Oh, sweet Eden,

May I never be denied my well of happiness.’

The room erupted in cheers and wolf whistles as Riv’s voice trailed away.

He gave Élisa a slow, seductive smile as she clapped her hands to her reddened cheeks.

Urged by their guests, she took a slight bow, her face suffused with pleasure.

To his surprise, she stepped forward and nabbed the small mic in his hand. ‘My turn now,’ she announced.

Riv’s brows shot up to his hairline. ‘Is that right?’

‘Stand over there,’ his wife commanded, pointing him to a spot on the dance floor before her. ‘This one’s for you. It’s not one I wrote but an ancient poem I found and fell in love with because it reminded me of you.’

Élisa lifted a hand to silence the growing whoops and applause that rose from their guests.

She didn’t consult any book or paper as she spoke low and sweet.

He’s equal to the Gods, that man

Who stands across from me,

Face to face, close enough to sip

His voice’s hoarseness,

Is what excites my mind

His laughter glittering

His silver hair flowing

His pale eyes blazing

His mind an incandescence

Nothing could compare to my King

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