17. Declan

So small in my arms, the urge to protect her overrides anything else. Carrying her back to my room she remained in my grasp as I quickly repositioned her against my chest. With my free hand I grabbed the two bunk mattresses and put them on the floor. Then, aware of her space I placed her down gently and backed away a bit.

“Lyra, talk to me, what do you need?” I asked softly as she lay on the mattress looking up at me in the semi-darkness. There was only a small yellow lamp casting shadows across the grey concrete walls. Her black hair spilled out into waves of dark desire. Her tiny frame swamped by the white nightdress. “What are you going to do?” her voice cracking.

“Only what you ask me to,” I repeat, “I won’t do a thing more. I swear.”

“Will you…kiss me again?” she murmured and my heart banged into my ribcage. Instead of jumping on her like a mountain lion I was slow, steady. I lowered myself onto the mattresses carefully. let her place her hands on my cheeks and guide my lips