Josie
I pushed the thoughts of Varen out of my mind, forcing them into the shadows where they belonged. Tonight wasn't about him. Tonight was about Kiel. My fingers twitched nervously at my side as I let him lead me into the softly glowing space he had prepared.
Candlelight flickered across the walls, painting everything with a golden warmth that made the air feel thick, intimate, and dangerously charged.
The table was simple, yet beautiful. White linen draped to the floor, a centerpiece of roses glimmering under the flames, the faint scent of lavender filling the air. Kiel pulled out a chair for me with a quiet grace, as though he'd done this a thousand times in his mind before ever doing it for real.
"Sit, my lady," he murmured with that teasing tilt to his lips, his eyes shining brighter than any of the candles.
