Forbidden

the quiet garden paths, her thoughts drifte

ear the fountain, his gaze dis

, she simply

was carrying thoughts s

d a deep

in his posture, in the

she call

is expression shifting b

inc

e had

re you thinking about this time?" s

lightly. "I could s

head gently. "N

ze hel

lways have t

expression crac

it wa

need to b

wasn't

fingers brushing lightly a

yet it sent a quiet tr

the morning's awakening, searched his face wit

l water, "you carry the weight of empires on your shoulde

ed away

name falling from his lip

res not lose. I would sooner lay d

eath c

ew warm, charged with the same wild energy

n mine," she said softly, her voice trembling

deep, shadowed hue of his and for o

deliberate, giving her

did

r rushed nor bold, but deep and tender,

rendered, of longing

s thumb stroking her cheek as though she were m

up to rest against his chest, feeling the rapid

il the warmth of their bodies mingled, two souls brushing agai

g together, Nicole's voice was rough with

ispered, though his hand still cradled her

lushed with the glow of t

lied, her fingers tracing the line of

is not the only thin

though something unread

no idea what oath

he stepp

his voice once again wrapped in restraint.

s, the distant bell tolled

t o'

he evening air as Nicole w

r chambers, Nicole stopped

ell, Pr

that, the mo

glow of lamplight cast long s

her presence gentle and familiar as

," Lira observed softly, placin

must have taken more

le, her mind still repl

s... i

ng slightly around the edge of the

d, her voice barely above a whispe

m eyes sharpening with understandi

quietly. "Even from the kitc

ently cove

oretold... but not impossible. You

thoughts had alread

"And... there's more,

e softened

't a qu

ushed deeper, he

afe," she admitted. "Not jus

ce grew

im. Something more than I should. Somethin

h had been so understan

rceptible, crossed her features.

are. "I understand how you feel. He is a captivating man,

there are things

lightly. "What

d hers now, ste

said quietly. "We know little of his origins, his

fusion flickering

n here fo

ly. "And yet... some que

ned slightly ov

lood Moon Pack. Your heart is

ice lo

areful, Nora.

vily in the room, eve

cold splash of reality against the

he image of Nicole's steadying e

t so right... be dangero