SYLVAINThe moment the words 'show me' left Tania's lush lips, I clutched a hand on her shoulders. She was so consumed by the shadows coiling around her supple body that she hadn't registered the feel of my hand on her skin. Shadows, almost instantly, blanketed me in their chilling embrace which had my spine freezing and my heart rate spiking. It seemed like they loved my fear, practically feeding off the emotion until my muscles eased into numbness.And then, it suddenly felt as if we were moving at the speed of light but through darkness. Moving to where I didn't know. Zephyr trusted her not to do anything stupid but, at the way my gut hollowed, I knew that he was now regretting taking off her cuffs. I didn't know what Tania's game plan was but if she planned on winning this game, she better start changing her play. She couldn't throw away the first straw of trust someone offered her. I thought I was making progress with

TANIAI was still groggy, vision blurry and muscles lax with exhaustion that hadn't left my limbs yet but my mind was strangely aware. It was aware that I had fallen asleep last night in a set of strong arms which encased me as if forming a barrier against every one of my fears. I wanted to ignore the fact that my sleep was almost blissful when tucked into his chest and cradled but I couldn't. After my nightmare had woken me and I somehow found sleep again, not a single dream—good nor bad—found me. And I liked it that way. I blinked away the blurriness while perching myself against the cushioned headboard. When my focus returned I found the room empty, the faint whisper of Sylvain's woodsy scent lingering in the air. I almost released a disgruntled sigh but I stopped myself. How could I be mad or even disappointed that he left when he had a life of his own. He was already putting said life on h

SYLVAINI licked her soft bottom lip before drawing it between my teeth and sucking on the pillow. The taste of coffee with hints of blueberry muffin lingered in her mouth and I devoured it until all I could taste was her. And, oh was she sweet. She tasted like sugar-coated lies and bad decisions. It made no sense but it made perfect sense to me.She kept lying to herself that she was the villain, so much so that she was now down the rabbit hole believing it with everyone else. But, if she were so bad then why did she have a laugh that reminded me of angels singing?I tilted my head, deepening the kiss in a way that had anticipation clouding my vision and desire setting my body on fire. If this snow wasn't magically enchanted beneath me it would have turned into a steaming puddle of water. Of that much, I was certain.The more she made me wait, the more I wanted her. I wanted her on top of me with her head tipped back and white locks cascading over her curves and I wanted her beneath m

SYLVAINIt didn't take much convincing for me to be let out of the city. Zephyr was just happy Tania wasn't cooped up in her room and I was the reason she decided to explore the city so this—letting me out—was his reward. He did, however, tell me to meet him in the clearing we had arrived in days ago when I had first landed here so he could lead me back to the town. I had till sundown to sort out whatever I needed to so I had left early this morning to get started. Tania was still asleep, soft snores passing through her parted lips when I left. I didn't know how to face her. I didn't know what version of her I would get and it terrified me to find out. When she drew me in it had hope seeping into every pore on my body and when she pushed me away, it felt like a vacuum sucking away my very essence.I needed a break from it.I felt bad for thinking so but I did. After yesterday I t

TANIAI was exhausted by the time I left the library to return to my room. The day just slipped through my fingers and, by the time I left, the moon was lighting up the inky sky along with a few stars glinting between the mass of gray clouds. I was so caught up between ancient pages and old texts that I had forgotten to eat both lunch and supper so, when my stomach grumbled, I wasn't the least bit surprised. Still, I remained on course and didn't pivot in the direction of the kitchen no matter how much my body begged. There was something I needed to do first before eating.Even with the hours spent in that room, I was only a quarter way through the books lining the walls—if not less than that. And, my search thus far was unsuccessful. A small part of me was sort of joyful at that. Maybe I wasn't ready to let go of Sylvain or the companionship he offered.But I had to let go at some poi