The air inside the private quarters grew heavy, thick with the scent of ozone, crushed salt, and the burning heat of Kyle's shadow-mana.
Elara's back pressed against the cool, dark basalt of the chamber wall as Kyle stepped closer. The forced compulsion from Queen Seraphina's royal crest still hummed through her veins, but as Kyle's hands found her waist, the unnatural pressure of the Sovereign's magic began to melt away, replaced by an overwhelming, electric heat generated entirely between the two of them.
"Kyle..." Elara gasped, her breath catching in her throat as his fingers pressed firmly against her sides. Her skin burned where he touched her, sending shuddering waves of static electricity straight into her core. "This is... too much..."
"Look at me, Elara," Kyle commanded softly, his voice a low, rough rumble that vibrated against her collarbone.
