But love was not among the emotions I experienced with Taylor.
I had, however, found it here in the unlikeliest of places with the unlikeliest of men.
Wiping away my tears, I drew a steadying breath and realized that yes, Batu was once again right. Against all odds, counter to any expectations I'd ever held about my life, I was meant to be here. My destiny led me back almost a thousand years in time to a man I never imagined existed.
And it was … fantastic, as the Ninth Doctor would say. Absolutely fantastic.
Before I had a chance to clear my thoughts, Batu returned. I met his gaze as he walked in, afraid to ask after his uncle. His weapons were clean, his body free of blood.
He knelt beside me, and I reached out to him instinctively, taking his face in my hands. "I delivered the punishment times nine but spared his life in exchange for a wedding gift," he told me.
I started to smile, my heart swelling. I wasn't going to dwell on the torture aspect - but on the idea the man was still alive, and I'd helped him stay that way. "What gift?"
"It is for you to name." A smile spread across Batu's face, and he peeled off his tunic in a sign of what was going to come next. "I have few horses for your dowry, but he is one of the wealthiest men in the steppes. Is this not clever, ugly one?"
I laughed loudly, impressed by my conniving - yet mercy granting - soon to be husband. "Very clever!"
"Mercy worked this once," he allowed and wrapped his arms around me. "Come here, my wife." He nuzzled my neck. "Or do you wish mercy as well?"
My breath caught. "Never," I whispered. "I want my warrior husband to pleasure me so well, I float back to the moon."
"As long as you always return to me." There was an odd note in his voice.
I leaned back and met his gaze, not expecting the troubled expression marring his features.
"Why do you say such a thing?" I asked, surprised. "Because I came from somewhere else?"
"Because my heart goes where you do, be it Ghoajin's for a feast or the moon from where you came."
"You don't have to worry about that now, Batu. Even if I could return to the moon, do you think I'd leave you behind?"
"I do not know. Would you?"
"Never." I kissed him gently. "I promise, Batu. Nothing can or will take me away, until it is my turn to go to the Eternal Blue Sky in death. I promise never to become lost again, either."