The space between them shattered.
They moved at once—no breath, no thought, no hesitation.
Byron crossed the clearing like something pulled by gravity. Xochi stepped forward just as fast, like the forest itself had given way. The pull so strong it felt like the world tilted sideways.
Their bodies collided—bare skin to thick wool, his arms around her waist, her hands tangled in his hair. His lips found hers in a kiss that burned through every bone in her body.
It wasn’t like the first one. This was deeper. Wilder. Fated.
His mouth opened against hers—a prayer, a curse, the first breath after drowning. She clung to him, pulled up onto her toes, her arms curling tightly around his neck as if anchoring herself to the only truth she had left in the world.
He kissed her like he had somethi
