Chapter 98

• Cesmae's POV
• Raizel stands so close, the warmth of his body wrapping around me, his eyes dark and full of heat as they trace the curves of my body. His gaze alone is enough to set my skin on fire, the intensity of it making my stomach tingle, my legs weak. Every inch of me is aware of him—too aware. My breaths come out shallow, each one more difficult than the last as the battle inside me rages on. I shouldn’t want this. I shouldn’t want him, but gods, I do.
• I bite my lip, trying to push back the storm of desire threatening to consume me. Kylian... Kylian gave me a ring, though it's not official yet, he's marked me as his, and I know where my loyalty should lie. I know what’s right. But standing here, so close to Raizel, his scent—musky and rich, with that hint of burnt wood—filling my senses, all of that rationality melts away. His presence drowns out every thought that tells me to stop, to walk away.