Lares felt his heart clench -- he'd seen the resemblance before, but had not wanted to admit it. When she smiled, it was impossible to ignore how she looked like Hope -- not in body or hair, but in the face...their faces were so similar. Their smiles were exactly the same. Before he knew his own intention or could stop himself from acting upon it he'd cupped her face in his hands and stolen her lips with his.
Hands pushed against his chest and he broke off reluctantly before he came to himself, realising what he'd done.
He backed up quickly, putting distance between himself and the healer. "Forgive me, Domina," he said, dropping to his knees and begging forgiveness not just with his words but with his stature and tone. "I do not know what I was thinking."
"I do." He looked up at her sha
