Jude stepped toward the platform, feeling the way his body reacted - the way his breath caught, his pulse surged. This place was not built for battle or survival. This was a temple of surrender. Of merging. Of pure, unfiltered intimacy.
They moved without words. Susan reached for Grace, their hands sliding together as if they'd always belonged. Natalie and Zoey kissed, slow and deep, their bodies pressing together in natural rhythm. Emma turned to Stella and simply nodded, and the two sank onto one of the stone beds, mouths finding each other, legs twining like vines.
Lucy moved to Jude, her fingers at his chest. "This is the root of it all."
He cupped her face. "And it's still growing."
