The horns continued to blare, their mournful sound echoing through the labyrinth, a stark reminder of the intrusion of the outside world. The secluded alcove, moments before a haven of illicit passion, was now a potential trap, a place where their secret could be exposed.
Derek stepped back from Alexa, his movements swift and decisive, his expression a mask of carefully controlled composure. He knew that the arrival of the Church was a significant event, a formal procession that demanded respect and adherence to protocol.
"We must go, Your Grace," he said, his voice low and urgent. "They will be expecting us."
Alexa, her face flushed, her breath still uneven, nodded in agreement. She straightened her gown, her movements shaky as she tried to regain her composure. The memory of the kiss,
