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"Selene?" I whispered her name into the entrance, and her large eyes opened, reflecting the moonlight. They were such a deep brown, like the forest that she lived in, like earth and bark, like chocolate.
"You came," she said, her voice just as quiet.
"I don't know about you, but I couldn't keep away if I tried. And, I did." My shoulders sagged. "I thought that if I stayed away… If I could drag this out for longer…" I sighed. "I don't want this to be over." I pointed from my chest to her, hoping she understood.
"Neither do I," she whispered. She stood then, her long limbs untangling, wings unfurling behind her as much as they could within the confines of the space. The wound in her side was all but healed. My mouth dropped open at the sight and I stepped toward her, reached for her skin and grazed my fingers over it.
"How?"
"Magic." She shrugged and chuckled.
"That's amazing."
I only realized then that I was touching her. The heat of her body warmed my fingers, and I couldn't help but slip my hand to her hip and rest it there. It felt like a tingle was running through me and I wondered whether she could feel it, too.
"You're amazing," I added, moving my gaze to hers. She was as tall as me, her build similar, stronger than mine from her time living in the forest. So strong and so feminine. I'd had no idea how drawn I would be to that power. I could see it in every limb of her body.
She ducked her head, as if she didn't know how to take the compliment; with a mother like hers, that was no surprise. I cupped her cheek and tilted her head up so that our gazes locked. I could see myself reflected in hers, but all I wanted was for her to see herself in mine.
"I mean it. You astound me."
"Despite the fact that it is my fault you have a geas on you? That you could die because of me?" Tears welled in her eyes then and I shook my head, wiping them away with the pad of my thumb as they trickled down her cheek.
"If I hadn't shot you…"
"You did not mean to! I know you would never have hurt me on purpose."
I wondered at that. How she could know me so well when we had barely spent any time together; I knew it had to be the magic of the geas, though. There was no other explanation for it.
"I know. I'm so sorry."
She shook her head, as if she didn't want to hear an apology from me. Instead, she stepped closer and pressed both palms flat against my chest. Her warmth seeped through the fabric of my shirt and into me, filling me with a warmth I hadn't felt for years.
"I wanted you to stay," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
The ache that had been in my chest this entire time disappeared, replaced with the warmest kind of calm. I smiled and held her gaze for as long as I could before leaning down and pressing my lips against hers. This was more than just physical; I felt my soul reaching for hers, wanting to become one with her.
"I'm here," I said as I pulled back. "And I'm not going anywhere."
She smiled, her eyes finally betraying the emotion she had been trying to keep from me. Relief and joy flooded through me at that sight, in that moment.
"Hearing you say that is everything," she said, leaning her forehead against mine. "But it is not possible. We are from two different worlds. Mother…"
"Will never let us be together." A river of dread emptied into my stomach as I finished her sentence. I stepped back from her, needing some distance.
I couldn't have her; not in the way that I really wanted. But even if I couldn't, it didn't mean that I wouldn't stay.
"But I won't leave you," I said, my voice firm and sure. "Not until I have to. If that's what you want."
She reached for my hand and drew me back.
"I want," she said, and her voice was full of more than just emotion.
I pressed a soft kiss to her lips, and while every part of me ached for more, I didn't think I could relax while this geas was still hanging over us.
"Let's break it," I said. "Let's finish this, and then we can figure out what happens next."
She nodded, but I could see that her eyes were full of worry. I wanted to reassure her that everything would be okay, but I couldn't make a promise like that. I had no idea what would happen next.
