Elissa didn’t remember how she ended up here.
Her heart pounded wildly, her breath came in uneven gasps, and a chill ran over her skin—whether from fear or anticipation, she couldn’t tell.
She knew she shouldn’t have come to him again. Knew that after her conversation with Gabriel, she should have stayed away.
But she couldn’t.
— Still searching for answers? — a deep voice echoed from the darkness.
Raphael stepped out of the shadows, closing the distance between them, step by step. His eyes glowed under the moonlight, locking onto hers, weaving invisible threads around her.
— Or have you come for something else?
Elissa clenched her fingers into fists.
— You’re so sure of yourself.
— Because I can feel you. — He moved closer, close enough that she could feel his breath against her skin. — I can hear how fast your heart is beating.
She didn’t reply.
— Are you afraid, princess?
— No, — she whispered.
Raphael smirked, running his fingers along her wrist.
— Liar.
His hand slid upward, barely brushing the fabric of her dress, and Elissa shivered.
— It’s the cold, — she said stubbornly.
Raphael leaned in, his lips hovering just above her neck.
— Then let me warm you.
He touched her skin—softly, almost weightlessly—but there was something forbidden, something electrifying in that touch. Elissa closed her eyes, letting herself forget everything except him.
— You’re playing with fire, — she whispered.
Raphael chuckled softly.
— The fire is you.
His lips traced along her collarbone, slow, deliberate. Elissa arched into him, surrendering to the sensation, and his hands slid confidently around her waist, pulling her closer.
She knew she should push him away. Knew the palace awaited her, knew her duty, knew the danger.
But at that moment, she didn’t care.
— Raphael… — her voice was barely audible.
— Tell me, — he tilted her face up by the chin, forcing her to meet his gaze, — what do you want?
Elissa didn’t answer with words.
She leaned in, and their lips met in a kiss that shattered every boundary.
The darkness swallowed them whole.