"The shadows have never hurt me," she said softly.
"Not yet. But they could. One moment of distraction, one surge of emotion—"
"Then we learn control together." She pressed closer, close enough that she could feel his heartbeat. It was racing. "Amariel said the shadows respond to emotion. To desire. Maybe instead of pushing them away, we should let them in. See what happens."
"That's dangerous."
"Everything about us is dangerous." Elaria's hand slid up his chest, feeling the rapid rise and fall of his breathing. "We're bound to each other for eternity. We're facing a void entity tomorrow. We're surrounded by enemies. A little more danger won't kill us."
Draven's control visibly wavered. His amber eyes darkened, and the shadows around them thickened, grew warmer.
"Elaria," he said, hi
