Ava's eyes locked onto Ethan's, her heart pounding in her chest like a blacksmith hammering away at a glowing piece of metal. The air was thick with tension, the only sound the soft rustling of the leaves in the garden, and the distant chime of the palace clock striking one.
"What do you mean we've been seen?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper, as she stepped closer to Ethan, her eyes fixed intently on his.
Ethan's smile was slow and tantalizing, like a Christmas pudding being savored on a cold winter's night. "I mean that someone has been watching us," he said, his voice low and husky, as he glanced around the garden, his eyes scanning the shadows.
Ava's eyes narrowed, her mind racing with possibilities. Who could be watching them? And what did they want? She felt a sense of unease wash over her, like a winter's breeze blowing through the garden.
Ethan's eyes seemed to gleam with amusement, like a mischievous elf playing a trick on her. "Don't worry," he said, his voice low and husky. "I have a plan."
Ava's eyes locked onto his, her heart pounding in her chest. What was Ethan's plan? And would it work? She felt a sense of uncertainty wash over her, like a Christmas fog rolling in.
But Ethan's eyes seemed to hold a glimmer of reassurance, like a Christmas candle burning brightly in the darkness. "Trust me," he said, his voice low and husky, as he took her hand, his fingers intertwining with hers like a Christmas garland.
Ava felt a shiver run down her spine, like a winter's breeze blowing through the garden. She didn't know if she could trust Ethan, but she was willing to take a chance, like a gambler betting on a Christmas lottery.
As they walked through the garden, the moon casting a silver glow over the flowers and trees, Ava felt a sense of unease wash over her. She didn't know what was happening, but she couldn't resist the pull of Ethan's eyes, the warmth of his body, the magic of the night.
The air was filled with the scent of blooming flowers, and the sound of nightingales singing in the distance, their sweet melodies weaving a spell of enchantment around her. Ava felt her senses come alive, her heart beating faster, her skin tingling with anticipation.
Ethan led her to a small, secluded arbor, the vines twisting and turning like a Christmas wreath. He stopped, his eyes locked onto hers, his voice low and urgent. "I think it's time I told you the truth," he said, his words sending a shiver down her spine like a ghostly apparition.
Ava's eyes widened, her heart racing with excitement. What truth? She felt a sense of anticipation wash over her, like a Christmas present being unwrapped.
Ethan's eyes seemed to gleam with amusement, like a mischievous elf playing a trick on her. "I'm not just a thief," he said, his voice low and husky. "I'm a protector."
Ava's eyes narrowed, her mind racing with possibilities. What was Ethan protecting? And from whom? She felt a sense of uncertainty wash over her, like a Christmas fog rolling in.
But Ethan's eyes seemed to hold a glimmer of reassurance, like a Christmas candle burning brightly in the darkness. "I'm protecting the locket," he said, his voice low and husky. "And I'm protecting you."Ava's heart skipped a beat, her senses reeling with shock. Protecting her? What did Ethan mean? She felt a sense of wonder wash over her, like a Christmas miracle being born.
And then, just as suddenly as it had begun, everything went black. Ava felt a searing pain in her head, like a Christmas cracker being pulled open, and everything went silent.
As she came to, Ava found herself lying on the ground, her head throbbing with pain. Ethan was kneeling beside her, his eyes filled with concern. "Ava, are you okay?" he asked, his voice low and urgent.
Ava tried to sit up, but a wave of dizziness washed over her. She fell back, her eyes closing as she tried to process what had happened. Who had attacked her? And why?
Ethan's voice seemed to come from far away, like a Christmas carol being sung in a distant church. "Don't worry, Ava," he said. "I'll take care of you."
Ava felt a sense of comfort wash over her, like a warm Christmas blanket wrapping around her. She trusted Ethan, she realized. She trusted him with her life.
As she drifted off to sleep, Ava felt a sense of peace wash over her, like a Christmas snowfall covering the garden. She knew that she was safe, and that Ethan would protect her, no matter what happened.