Ephiny gently took Kestra's hands and drew her up.  The woman looked very puzzled.  She noticed a tear fall from the regents eye and trail down her soft cheek.  She wiped it away with her finger and looked at it in amazement.

She looked back up at Ephiny and silently asked 'why'.  "Because I love you", Ephiny whispered.

Xena drew a contented sigh.  Well, that works for me, she thought.  She brushed herself off and beat a hasty retreat.  Several Amazon warriors noticed the gleam in her eye.  Before long, the who village knew they were in for some additional 'singing' lessons for the rest of the couple's stay.  Were there any complaints?  Only those who wished that they were on the receiving end of those icy blue eyes.

Ephiny was not even aware of Xena's escape.  Just of her heart beating quickly, the blood rushing by her ears in a torrent.  She had been watching Kestra's hand as she inspected the tear. When she looked up she was dazzled by the most beautiful smile.  For her.  She hugged her closely and then gazed into the woman's beautiful grey eyes.

Then Ephiny took the woman's face in her hand and covered the inviting lips before her with her own.  It was a kiss full of promise, full of hope for them both.

Kestra smiled.  Then she did something she hadn't done in two moons: she laughed.  She caressed Ephiny's cheek and bent in for another warm kiss.  The regent's heart wa so full.  She was giving her heart to someone after such a long time and it scared her.

Kestra seemed to sense just how important this moment was to Ephiny. She took the woman's hand, kissed each finger tip and placed them over her heart.  It was unspoken, but the truth was evident in Kestra's eyes:
she was giving her heart back to the woman who loved her.
 
 

To:  Ardent Warrior...Passionate Bard...Jealous Queen the epilogue