settled into silence, but Seraphine could not find sleep. The bed beneath her was too soft - too foreign

was a rest

sandalwood, wine, and something darker. His voice still ech

e... and

skin. He hadn't touched her - not yet - but he hadn't needed to. His

ke through

lipped inside - a servant, draped in sheer silks that clung to delicate curves.

n." Her voice was soft,

d a single velvet ribbon - crimson, th

's throat

is t

down beside the bed, her fingers brushing

ze flicked upward, just for a moment. There

n

eaving Seraphine alo

ght. Temptation poured into crystal. The ri

quickened. She k

render - to signal he

e anger, a flicker of heat stirred. She clenched her

ld not

t

ed open again

el

ting him in gold and darkness. His tunic hung loose at his chest, da

caught as molten

't touched

ng the tremor in her limbs. "I do

hickening with each step. When he reached the tray, he plucked the ribbon betwee

ns, little dove. The question is whether

mmered again

man's p

, assessing. Then he leaned down, brushi

t y

against her skin,

Seraphine... there is

ld feel the heat radiating from him, the promise beneath h

His voice was low, commanding. "W

eaving Seraphine alone w

against her ski

it from her throat, c

round her neck... and

on, heavy with the w

reath. The wine remained untouched on the tray - though more than once, she caught herse

he restless ache within her. That it mi

would no

deep within the palace - low and

summ

r own reflection in the flickering candlelight. The ribbon

thing sh

choed beyon

ervant girl stood waiting

, my

narrow corridors lit only by guttering torches. The farther they went, the thick

rs - sighs and murmurs that made heat coil

efore a tall, carved do

ed her head and

ood withi

od set with wine and fruit, but Seraphine's eyes locked on the long velvet divan that st

icked to the rib

voice was dark silk, curli

ted. "I chose not to

ckered in his molten ey

ween the two... until you learn

y, each step drawing the

mind - fear tangled with something hotter, somethi

blet of wine and pres

ri

hesi

r her own, lingering just lo

e... or I will mak