When he looked back at me, he was devouring me.
Something new stirred inside of me.
Alone. We were utterly alone.
When he showed up at my door later that night, I didn’t turn him away. Firelight filled my chambers, the trickle of heat sifted down my back. Cora’s last warning echoed.Whatever you think you’re feeling—it’s not all real.
I craved him, felt him without his touch—it felt real, very real. His chest swelled as he inhaled. I was losing control.
His hands grazed my corset—they trailed the laces at my back. Lioran’s gaze shifted over me, lingering over my curves. His breath was hot on my neck.
He lifted my hand to his chest. His heart thundered beneath my palm. I wrapped my arms around his neck, I leaned into him, his warmth lulling me closer.
“I haven’t stopped thinking about you all night,” he said.
“Lioran…” His name hung on my lips.
“I haven’t stopped needing you.”
I closed my eyes and leaned into him. “I’m yours.” The words barely escaped my lips.
He hesitated—his breathing sharp. “Aelira…” He growled my name.
His lips claimed mine, strengthening something inside me.
“You are mine.” The words breathlessly left his lips—fire stirred in me.
He pressed his lips against my ear before caressing my neck. I caved with his touch.
He yanked at a ribbon, loosening the bodice of my gown. The cascading fabric caught on my arm. His hand pushed it further down. I slipped my arms out.
The fireplace cracked, echoing within my chamber walls as logs shifted. My breath stilled. A forceful pop sounded from the hearth.
I caught the bodice around my chest—the feeling too new, too exposing.
His lips entangled with mine, claiming me with each kiss. He gently slid my hands from my gown. He desperately gripped the fabric, until it sank lower.
An ember floated from the fireplace. As my dress dropped, I caught it again—my knuckles paled in the glowing firelight.
If I let him take me, I could never go back to who I was before.
With each touch—each kiss, I only craved him more.
He kissed my collarbone—warmth flooded me.
The embers cracked again, dancing in the air beyond the fireplace.
I pushed back from him.
This wasn’t me. It wasn’t him.
Pain gripped my chest with each frantic breath—a dull, aching warning.
“Lioran.” His eyes glowed vividly, as if the starlight still had hold of him. “Wait.”
“We can have this moment.” His voice was low, but commanding.
My nails scraped over my gown. The fabric slipped from my fingertips, too ample to hold. I opened my lips to speak again, but my rib cage tightened as I clutched the gown hard against my chest.
