A quiet, contented sigh escaped her at the feel of Neil's warmth at surrounding her. Between his size and the heat beneath his skin, he could make anywhere feel like a private shelter, and the part of her that had rarely felt safe appreciated that immensely. Yet she was aware that this space was meant to be shared, so she gestured with her head toward the tent opening. If Neil wanted to make a wish, he could return later.

She waited for him to take her cue and navigate them out of the smallish space of the tent before she answered him. Still in his arms, she tilted her head back against his shoulder and murmured, "A want is to a wish as a like is to a love. When you wish for something, really wish for it, it comes from from your heart, the same as a curse does." Which was why a curse had to be powered by the sacrifice of what you loved best. It had to annihilate love to work.

"When is your nameday, love?" Because if he had one, he didn't have or didn't remember his birthday and she didn't want to lean on a painful memory.