The night had fully draped itself across the sky by the time Anana and Lucien rode back to the fortress on his black stallion. The heavens were scattered with silver stars, their faint light glittering like scattered diamonds. Their clothes still clung damply to their skin from the waterfall, and the chill of the night breeze made the warmth of each other’s nearness feel almost intoxicating.
Lucien was the first to dismount, his boots striking the ground with quiet strength. His hands immediately rose to hold Anana as he guided her down, his palms firm around her waist. She descended slowly, her gown brushing against him as her feet touched the earth. Yet his hands did not leave her instantly… there was something magnetic in the way he held her, as if him letting go would cost him more th
