As thoughts of Ella filled Valen's head, he wanted to go meet her and let her know that she belonged to him.
No. That's madness; if he saw her again, he wasn't sure he could stop himself from claiming her. Instead, he decided to go out for a run.
As he stepped out of his study, her scent hit him like a tidal wave—sweet and intoxicating, wrapping around his senses and refusing to let go. He inhaled deeply, trying to control the surge of desire that followed. His feet moved on their own, following the trail of her scent until it led him to the garden.
There she was.
The sight of her stopped him in his tracks. The moonlight bathed her in a soft glow, accentuating her graceful form. Her hair shimmered, cascading down her back like a dark waterfall, and her skin seemed to glow under the moo
