The Lover's Seal
"I know, Leon. That's why I never pleaded with you to remain. But." She paused, the sound of her voice weakening into something delicate. "Promise me this."
"Anything," he replied in an instant, his gold eyes riveted on hers.
"Return to me," she whispered. "Return and carry me out of here. Make me yours—not in darkness, not in stolen hours—but in the daylight, where the world sees I belong to you.
A gentle smile brushed Leon's lips, warm and craving devotion. He bent and kissed her—slowly, savoringly—as if marking his promise with breath and flesh.
"I promise," he breathed against her lips, "before you know it… I'll come back and get you out of this golden cage. And when I do, there won't be one person left who would dare wonder who you belong to."
She smiled, her eyes shining with tears and radiance, leaning into him forehead to forehead. "I love you, Leon."
His hands wrapped softly around her hair as he smiled in return. "I love you too, my Queen."
