9
The kiss didn't end.It just… stopped.
One moment, Raaevik was drowning in her… the taste of her on his tongue, the feeling of her in his arms… the next, the sound of a distant door chiming somewhere shattered the moment.
He wrenched himself back.It felt like tearing off his own skin.
Emily stood there, breathless.Her lips were swollen, her eyes wide, dark, and shocked as she looked up at him.She looked… perfect.
He stepped back, putting distance between them.He didn't speak.He couldn't.If he opened his mouth, he'd either beg her forgiveness or drag her back against him, and he wasn't sure which one would damn him faster.
"We must return," he grated out, his voice rough.
He couldn't take her back to the ball.Not like this, with her lips kiss-swollen and her eyes dazed.He tapped his comm unit.
"Thyaar."
"Raaevik?"His second's voice was low, cautious.He was on duty with the Emperor.
"Her Grace is feeling unwell.I'm escorting her to her quarters."
A pause.Thyaar would pass the message to Daaynal.That was protocol."Understood."
The comm clicked off.
She nodded.She didn't argue or try to touch him again.She just wrapped her arms around herself, pulling the edges of that ridiculous dress tight like armor, and started walking.Away from him.
But he followed.
Draanth, he couldn't do anything but follow, even though he was the traitor who'd just kissed the Emperor's mate-to-be.If anyone knew… if anyone found out, he wouldn't be exiled.He would be executed.
The walk back to her suite was a blur of gray corridors.Marching two paces behind her, he stayed constantly alert for threats.
Every step was a fight.Her scent filled his lungs with every breath.Yellow flowers with something sweet underneath.It hooked into him and refused to let go.He could still feel the phantom pressure of her body against his chest, the desperate grip of her hands in his hair.
The temptation to take her back, find a dark corner, and pretend none of this had consequences?—
He cut the thought off and kept walking.
They reached her door.Raayk stood at attention outside, his posture parade-ground perfect.
"I'll take over," Raaevik told him."You're relieved."
Raayk's gaze flicked to Emily, then back.If he noticed anything amiss, he was smart enough not to comment."Yes, sir."
He marched away, leaving them alone in the late-cycle dimness.
She stopped and turned to him.When she hesitantly raised her eyes to his, the hope in them gutted him.
Clenching his jaw until his teeth ached, he stared at a point just above her left ear."Rest well, Your Grace."
She flinched but then drew herself up, mask sliding back into place.
"Goodnight, Sub-Commander," she whispered, and then she was gone, the door sliding shut behind her and cutting him off from her warmth.
Alone, he drew in a shuddering breath.His heart pounded against his ribs.
He could see it… him striding through the door, Emily turning in surprise, the way she would look at him as he backed her against the wall…
