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They nudge my shoulder. “Are you ok?”

“I am now.” It’s been a long night. Too long a night to care that a man was killed before my eyes. I probably won’t care much tomorrow either, though. “I’m ready for bed, that’s all.”

They walk backwards in front of me, frowning. “Then why are you limping?”

“My foot fingers are sore.” I wiggle them in my shoes, forgetting the word for them. “You know what I mean.”

They disappear, and I feel them behind me, scooping me up beneath my knees. “I know you need time to think, but you can think while I’m walking. Let’s get you off your poor toes, princess.”

I’m too tired to protest. Besides, their arms are warm, and I fit perfectly inside them.

I’m much higher from the ground than I’m expecting. They must have shifted into a larger form than usual.

I snuggle into their hold, lulled by the steady cadence of their walking.

“You told me you won’t be going anywhere until this business with Cosette is finished,” I say, broaching the topic that’s been weighing on me. “Are you going to fly away from me when it’s over?”

“I have to.” I bounce as they stomp down a slope. “It’s not like I can be a part of your life here.”

No, they can’t. Someone is bound to notice that Professor Tommelise doesn’t exist.

It wouldn’t be fair to ask them to hover around for any longer than necessary when we can only meet in secret.

I drop the topic and slide out of their arms when we reach the castle’s hidden entrance. Our faces angle toward each other, our mouths poised for a kiss, but neither of us presses forward.

I’m getting married, and they’re leaving. We’ve already waded into dangerous waters. Parting ways will be harder if we dive in even further.

I pull away and take the winding staircase. With each step, I’m less sure I’ve made the right decision.

My feet pound in time with my heartbeat, the details of our kiss replaying in my mind. The way they held me with such ferocity, their restraint when they watched me please myself.

I could tell how much they were holding back.

I lie beneath my bed’s canopy, trying to emulate the feeling of their hands on my body, but it’s not the same as being touched by someone who really knows me.

Turning over, I bring my pendant to my lips. “I think you should come back and kiss me goodnight.”

They appear beside me. “Changed your mind?”

“Yes.” I wrap an arm over them and lift my face, trying to kiss them the way they kissed me, hot and soft and passionate until we’re both rocking against each other and out of breath.

“What are we doing?” they ask, stroking my chin as our legs lock and our pelvises bump together in a slow rhythm.

The urge to come is already building, even with all of this fabric between us.

“I know you have to leave, but we could have fun like this until the full moon rises,” I say, my eyes closing as a wave of pleasure spreads through my low belly.

“Fun?” they ask huskily.

“Darcy has her fun; why shouldn’t we?”

“Yes, you should be having fun.” They make a low, inhuman sound. “I can help you make yourself come again.”

I look down to where we’re attached at the hip. “Zephyr, please just touch me.”

With a soft growl, they roll on top of me and drag their lips down my neck. I sigh, throwing my head back as I reach down and remove their cap to run my fingers through their hair.

They move lower and push my nightgown to my waist, slipping their hands under and cupping my breasts.