Night had fully fallen when we alighted atop the balcony again. I held on to Luke's neck as he gently set me on my feet, pulling him down in a hug. He stiffened in surprise, then softened, his arms encircling my waist. My legs were still a little shaky, but my tail was calm.
He held me for a few minutes. It was the first time we'd truly embraced. Not holding hands, or hugging from the side, but our feet on the ground and hearts together. It was a moment as magical as the one we shared amid the stars, one that I could have lived in forever.
But all good things come to an end, and this was no exception. I nuzzled his chest with my cheek, breathing in his scent in a final, deep breath. Then, my hands slipped from his neck, trailing down his arms and taking his as I stepped back.
"Thank you," I whispered, squeezing his hands. "Tonight was, um…thank you."
