CHAPTER 12
Violet woke to the wonderful comfort of Leontios’s firm, mostly bare body curled around her. His skin under her fingers felt cool and soft, though the wiry muscles beneath teased her with images of strength.
A slightly embossed sensation yielded its meaning to her curious exploration. A symbol of his ancient language. Though she did not know the words, she felt an irresistible compulsion to read his tattoos like braille. She ran her fingertips across his skin, exploring each shape. If I could read these, maybe I could understand him better. Know him better. I would love it if I could. And—joy—he seems to want the same. If we can achieve this goal and not burn ourselves up or explode, maybe we can.
Leontios stirred, perhaps aroused by her questing fingers. His own hands began
