[His time here with her has only thrown into sharper clarity what he has decided to sacrifice for the sake of his throne and his country. It's another life that they live here, where they are not king and saint but just a boy and a girl. The longer he indulges in this life, the deeper he sinks into its little routines and pleasures, the harder it becomes to sever himself from it as he knows he must someday.

But today is not someday. Today they are still Kolya and Alinochka, free to do as they please without consideration for the consequences. Free to be reckless in ways he cannot entertain in Ravka. His only duty is to cheer her up, which he does by ducking in to sneak a soft kiss when she lifts her head from his chest. Her lips still taste like the sherbet they'd finished in tense quiet after parting ways with Zoya.]

Have I mentioned how lovely you look today?

[What a fine time to remind her, in case there remains any lingering soreness he must soothe after their encounter with Zoya. Flattery comes easily to Nikolai after so many years of navigating court, but his words carry a warm gleam of honesty that Alina should recognize by now. He continues swaying back and forth with her.]

Or shall I remind you of what an ass I made of myself on this very beach the last time we were here?

[When he had reunited with her — hungover, with his clothes clumsily cropped and his phone loaded with all kinds of damning evidence — he accepted her teasing with as much grace as he could muster. His eyebrows lift as if an idea has just struck him, and his grin turns sly.]

Ah, do you think I could do a better job of cheering you up if we found somewhere more private?

[He emphasizes the last word with a gentle squeeze of her ass through her pockets.]