Wrapped in his embrace and with his warm lips on my skin, there's an odd sense of peace that washes over me. One that lulls me into comfort and safety. And as I close my eyes, letting myself be pulled into this whirlpool of madness, I find myself lost to a different world.

* * *

The chirp of birds echoes in the stillness of the valley. Cool drops from the waterfall splash onto the grassy banks, hitting my skin and offering a modicum of refreshment—a break from the scorching heat of the two suns.

I lie back on my elbows, tipping my chin up to bask in the sunlight. It's a rare moment when I get some time to myself—some freedom outside of duty.

"Don't move. Stay like that," a raspy voice calls from behind.

I freeze, my senses suddenly on alert just as a feeling of unease goes down my back. He snuck up on me—again. He is the only being in the entire universe that I am never able to detect in advance.

Now that he's allowed me to sense him, he comes around and lies down on the ground next to me. The grass rustles against his weight and he places his head in my lap, his long black hair draping over the purple of my dress. Instinctively, I thread my fingers through his locks, enjoying the silken feel of them against my skin.

He releases a deep sigh—something akin to a purr as his chest rumbles with pleasure.

"I missed you," he says, capturing my hand and bringing it to his mouth for a kiss.

"I could not get away sooner. I'm sorry," I murmur.

He closes his eyes.

"I'm tired of hiding." He sighs wearily. "I'm tired of not being good enough for you."

"I promised you I'd find a way to break off the engagement, and I will." I purse my lips. "It's just a delicate period and..."

"When is it not a delicate period?" he demands. "Just hearing your name in conjunction with his drives me insane. The wedding of the millennium, they call it." He gives a bitter laugh.

"I cannot simply forsake my duty," I whisper.

"But you can forsake me?" He leans back, giving me a glimpse of those anguish-stricken features.

"I did not come here to fight," I say in a soft voice. "Can we not talk about this now? We have so little time as it is..."

"Why is that? Because I'm your dirty little secret. Because I'm a lowborn bastard, an abomination in the eyes of the Aperite Supremes. Because⁠—"

"Don't," I whisper.

"You're ashamed of me," he continues.

I shake my head vehemently.