The footsteps outside the library faded gradually into silence. Still, neither of them moved. Kael remained standing directly in front of her in the narrow space hidden between the towering bookshelves, one hand braced against the wood beside her head while the other still held her wrist from when he had pulled her into the shadows moments earlier. The position had been instinctive but temporary. At least that had been the intention but now it no longer felt temporary at all.
The dim candlelight filtering through the shelves barely reached them properly, leaving the space wrapped in soft darkness and quiet breathing. Kaelira could feel the warmth radiating from him far too clearly. Close enough to hear every controlled breath he took. Close enough to notice that his control was no longer
