Verin tips his head back with Essek's guiding. He looks up at his brother, beseeching and broken. He does not know how to make this right. He doesn't know what to do with this new information in the light of everything else. But Essek is right; Verin would rather know, whatever else he might feel. Better to know than be surprised.

He closes his eyes as Essek kisses him and a wet hand reaches up to lightly touch his brother's cheek. He's forgotten Essek's gown, too, and if his brother doesn't care then neither does Verin. He tips his head back further in a brief but still futile effort to deepen the kiss. This is not the best position for that, and it is better not to try much harder.

He sighs when they part and he tips his head forward again.