and crisp October night, the quaint kingd

and blade of grass in the courtyard below. The air was cool and invigorating, filling the senses with the crispness

lurked, their hearts racing with excitement as they plotted unde

a delicate silk robe as white as the moonlight itself, she stoo

d bathed in the silvery light, taking in the intricate p

through the stillness of the night, each

nt point on the horizon, holding her breath as she mentally c

ough the darkness, fleeting yet unmistakable, like

tered under her breath, a spark

r. She quickly glanced over her shoulder, ensuring her door remained locked against unwant

ed down, every movement filled with purpose, eager to seize

round, she felt a chill run up her spine. She hugged he

see the little puffs of her breath f

idea to grab a jacket?" Gabriella mutt

tate because they blocked out the moonlight. Entering the gloomy woods at this hour without any ligh

el Manor, which was shrouded in the shadows

seize her shoulder. Panic surged through her as she was pinned against a massive

y carried above a whisper. Her wrists were pinned behin

d teasing. "If I earned a gold coin every time you said th

coiled through her, lea

that she feared he could hear it. A b

sharp, but the slight tremble betrayed her nerves. "You

as though it liked the idea of her fingers near h

eck, "I'll have to keep this-" he pressed closer, his hips brushin

d, her chest rising sharply, brushing against his arm.

und positively wicked." His voice dipped l

ed at the words, t

n her around. Gabriella's breath hitched. His brilliant gre

fingers brushed a stray lock of hai

mbered herself, gritting her teeth as her silver dagg

ng low in his throat. "So you remember

adn't seen her in a week, but it felt like

e for his own good-especially in all that blinding white, and that mask th

he demanded, ex

ature," he muttered as he unfastened

n his scent, her irritation softened. She drew closer, fin

ur full face?" Her voice

"You'll see it soon enough," he said, his voi

fused to look away. "You're m

always claim looks don't matter," he teased, fingers

eyes. "Why? Are you act

her ribs, tickling until she g

t her breath. And she meant it. She'd already fallen too har

a fleeting kiss, and Arik's

for your eyes." Her tone was play

jaw, tipping her chin up as he leaned closer. "If I'd known I'd love you th

aking up for it now with al

e nothing. Wait until you see th

"Assuming I agree to this

his warmth enveloping her entirely.

ri

es

ow important y

nded in kind, his voice low and steady. "I know. But

deep down, Arik knew tonight might be the last tim

e to l

nsed but nod

g kiss to her forehea

lier," she teased, thoug

use he couldn't stop himself, he kissed her-lightly at f

er lips were flushed and swoll

ords carried a promise. "And we'l

im. She believed it with

nias glowing softly, she called out, "The nex

ik whispered into the night, t

d rode toward the portal, he realized he'd