The evening was cooling as the moon began to rise, magnified by the atmosphere, a huge ball that was first ruddy, then lightened to an opalescent cream. It was not meant to be her night, but both Laylah and Hejira were bleeding in accord with the moon. She went to him in his tent, earlier than was usual, but the giant moon was stirring her. And she was not surprised that he was clearly waiting for her.

"It's a beautiful night, Noor. We won't waste it. Now you'll see the desert at its most beautiful. In the full moonlight. With me." His eyes were sparkling and she recalled the last night they had spent on the sand, under the meteor shower. Once again, he had the horse brought to them.

She was not bleeding; it was not her night, but Hejira and Laylah were, and so it fell to her. They had just moved camp recently.

"I have a surprise," he said.

"Another?"

"As good as the last. Possibly better." This time he did not seem to be planning for a ménage a cheval; he seemed intent on riding swiftly over the hard dry ground. She snuggled against his chest and watched the bleached-white sands speed by. They were out of the area of the dunes;; here it was a hard stony surface with cliffs and outcroppings. It was beautiful in an austere way, almost a lunar landscape, as if they were riding on the moon, not beneath its light. He knew where they were going and turned toward a narrow wadi opening up in high cliffs. They rode up the small valley, formed by a nearly-vanished stream, and ascended to the top of the cliff by an ancient path. Annie became aware of a faintly sulfurous smell, not unpleasant, but unusual. He pulled up the horse and they dismounted. To her surprise, Eyal was pulling off his clothes. Then she realized – there was a hot spring flowing into a small basin. She followed, divesting herself of her garments with his help. "I don't believe this - you found us an ancient Jacuzzi!"

"The desert has many secrets, Noor, some more delightful than others." He laid out some refreshments along the edge of the natural rocky tub, refined by a few thousand years of nomad travelers, and lit a lamp that looked as if it could have been left behind by one of those ancient travelers. Flat rocks lined the rim.

"Ah, for a good bottle of Pinot…"

He shrugged. "We have other ways of intoxication, now. No need for what is forbidden. And this," he said, drawing her to him and kissing her, "Is not forbidden. On the contrary," he added, nuzzling her neck, "It's a requirement."

"Definitely a requirement."

"See, you are learning the obligations are not all so burdensome." The hot spring, not supplied with Jacuzzi jets, began churning and roiling nonetheless.