Şahin tossed his head. “I am all about the journey of self-discovery,” he said. “Take all the time you need. I’ll be here when you’re done. Or if you’d like to explore yourself further sometimes it’s helpful to have someone to bounce ideas off of. I’m a very good idea-bouncer.” The stallion of the sun and clouds bobbed his head and gave the pretty mare another wink. “The point is you’re always welcome,” he said with a short laugh, certain that his companion must think he was ridiculous. And Şahin was, of course, more silly than serious, but that was something he thought of as a good quality about himself. No one had made fun of him for it yet.

“Sil-vi-ah,” he breathed, intentionally dragging out the syllables of her name to try them, one by one, on his tongue. “A beautiful name for a beautiful lady. My name is Şahin, and I am, as ever, at your service.” He dipped his head below his knees and brought it back up with a wide grin. “I shall leave you to your introspection, Sylvia. But I do hope I will see you again soon. Thank you so much for stopping on my shores. Paradise will seem dimmer without you.” He reached out to nose her cheek companionably before he left her. Şahin had some of his own self-discovery to do.