h and pine. Ayla stood at the balcony, hands gripping the cold

but her skin tingled. Ronan's steps were slow, measur

e said, voice deep and

sleep," sh

warmth brushing her b

llowed.

oning. She finally turned. The moonlight caught the hard lines of his face, soften

hated how easily he c

he murmured, but ma

oice came out sof

e railing beside hers. The other brushed again

e said, eyes fixed on hers.

ed. "Maybe you ju

wasn't a smile. "You ha

have looked away, but she couldn't. She wante

me," she

is touch burned through the thin fabric of her dress. "I l

d. "And when I

rushing her cheek. "Then I

ay, but instead, she gripped his shirt. The f

what she meant to say, bu

oward him. For a moment, neither moved. His ga

ld felt

his mouth

ad been holding back for too long. She gasped,

His arm tightened around her waist, pulling her flush against

didn't loosen. His thumb brushed over he

foreheads rested together

erous," he sa

," she

ou from what's com

for him. "Then don

d. "You don't

d from the hall. B

n. His eyes darkened, sharp and alert. The war

boots pounding agai

sed around hers.

his voice silenced her. He led her through

. The moon had hidden behind thick c

ut from the dark.

him again. "You're too far from you

e I need to be,

his sleeve. The man's eyes flicked

reason yo

low and dangerous.

e forgotten the oath you swor

e figures emerged from the tre

him tightene

ind me,"

h the sound of claws scr

y began to change. Bones cracked, fur pushed

ing. She had never seen

htly, his voice firm but s

htened. "I'm n

said again

ifter

ng the attack head-on. The air filled with snar

searching for a path. But more shapes

the light, his face fam

man from

as smili