His lips were soft, hesitant at first, then deepening with a possessive hunger that mirrored something within me. The world seemed to fade away, the scent of jasmine and the cool night air all but forgotten. It was just him. Torrance. The man who watched over me, the man who stirred something primal and untamed within my carefully curated queenly persona. I tangled my fingers in his dark hair, pulling him closer, wanting to erase the distance between us, the unspoken truths, the ever-present dangers that surrounded my life.
The kiss was a spark, igniting a fire I wasn't sure I could control. When we finally broke apart, breathless and flushed, the world rushed back in a dizzying wave. I stared up at him, my heart pounding against my ribs. The possessive gleam in his blue eyes was undeniable, unsettling, and… intoxicating.
"I…" I stammered, trying to regain my composure. "I should go in. It's late."
He didn't release me, his hand still firm on my waist. "Isabella," he murmured, his voice rough, "don't run from this. Don't run from me."
Run? Was that what I was doing? Maybe. The idea of surrendering control, of letting myself fall completely for someone like Torrance, terrified me. He was darkness and danger, a stark contrast to the light and order I strived to bring to Northernglades. But oh, the magnetic pull was undeniable.
"I'm not running," I lied, my voice barely a whisper. "I just… I need time. To figure things out."
He sighed, a puff of warm air against my cheek. "Time is a luxury we don't always have, Isabella." He kissed my forehead, a soft, lingering touch. "But I'll give you what I can. Just don't keep me waiting too long."
I nodded, unable to speak, and slipped back inside, leaving him alone on the balcony with the moon and his own dark thoughts. I leaned against the heavy oak door, my hand pressed against my racing heart. What was I doing? I was the Queen of Northernglades, with responsibilities to my people, my kingdom. I couldn't afford to be distracted by…passion. But Torrance wasn't just passion. He was a force, a shadow warrior who protected me in ways I didn't even realize. And tonight, he had shown me a glimpse of something more, something that both terrified and exhilarated me.
I needed to talk to someone. Someone who could offer advice, who understood the complexities of love and duty. Nadia. I would seek her out first thing in the morning.
Sleep eluded me for hours. I tossed and turned, haunted by the intensity of Torrance's gaze, the feel of his lips on mine. Finally, as dawn began to paint the sky with streaks of pink and gold, I drifted off into a restless slumber.