Bound By The Moons

lled my ears as I closed the

g untamed. It wasn't just the fact that he'd filled out into a man since I'd last seen him. No. It was deeper than that. He

st, trying to calm the sudd

live wire. The kind of jolt that travels up your arm and burns a mark inside you. I'd

ldn't

of the rain tapping at the

did when I couldn't q

m. - Jou

. Lucien

ntensity. But different too. Taller. Stronge

-though that was definitely there. No, this was something dee

e's the way he

ew somethi

look... it hadn't been longing. It had been pain. Li

t

across the wooden floorboards. I stumbled into the kitchen in leggings and

r flipping pancakes. He

ught you might hibernate

You bake. You make pancakes. Are you sure you'r

f those pastries you love fro

ze mid-pour

n. "He was out early-said he had business in th

in my chest t

obably thank hi

old to most people, but for you? He alwa

p my voice neutral, but Gran

ed. "Well, you were the only p

pause. "He

ought you beat him? Lucien Thorn

in my ch

atching sunlight spill across the kit

ispered memories-of summer days chasing dragonflies, of reading fantasy novels in the crook

clearing. The grass here was a lit

, I felt

pu

en had turned its g

un a

y wo

ronger. My skin prickled, as though watched from all

y hand agai

is happe

s friends. I almost declined-still rattled by whatever that moment

he restaurant, Lucie

o

unbuttoned just enough to reveal the hint of a tattoo curling along his collarbone. H

se kic

But it was impossible not to notice the way his gaze lingered

id, voice vel

lied, quieter t

head. "How was y

w'd you know I

ghtly, not quite a

row

else ha

, Grant called the server ov

ered. But I couldn't focus. Not with Lucien so close. Not with the way he

chi

rn

imi

staurant into the cool night, I f

th me,"

't a qu

ted, the

ss the cobbled streets. When we reached the small bridge over

ever come back?"

to. Portwood felt... distant. Like it be

a moment. Then:

led me u

to him. "

. "More than I

between us. I couldn'

anged?"

face me ful

rough me, but no

something primal fli

he said finally, stepping b

appearing into the shadow

art pounding in my chest, wondering

s was, it wa

elt

as only