The room welcomed her with a constant whisper of water, a murmur that seemed to slide between stones as if guarding an ancient secret.
The indoor waterfall descended from the rock wall, falling into a shallow pool that reflected the silvery light from the balcony. The moonlight pierced through veils of mist, drawing dancing shadows on walls covered with vines. The leaves, moist with dew, exhaled a fresh perfume of living earth and sap.
Eliza closed the door with a soft click and leaned against it, gasping for air.
Her heart still pounded in her chest with the same frantic force as during her race through the corridors. But now she didn't know if it was from the fear still coursing through her... or from Stephan's recent touch, which still burned on her skin like an invisible fire.
His scent—a dark blend of sea salt and contained danger—remained suspended in the air, intertwining with the aroma of plants.
