Kirsty remained still, her eyes tightly shut, as she felt the strong grip of Draken's arms around her. She could sense the tension in the air, the unspoken words that hung between them. The castle walls seemed to close in on her, and closing her eyes was her feeble attempt at escaping the reality of their situation.
Draken moved with purposeful strides, his steps echoing in the empty corridors. Kirsty could feel the warmth of his body through the fabric of his clothes, his scent enveloping her senses. She nestled her head against his chest, listening intently to the rapid thumping of his heart, a rhythm that seemed to match the urgency of their clandestine journey.
The castle itself was a world of secrets, its inhabitants entwined in a web of obligations and hidden desires. As they trave
