Chapter NINETY-FIVE

Dane My heart was thumping hard against my chest after I fed her the last spoon of the porridge. She had permitted me to show her. There was no greater feeling than that. I missed touching her skin while I scrubbed it slowly. I kissed the feeling of how soft they could be. Now she was awake, I got to do that again. And she, of course, had gladly accepted. I wasted no time in making my move. After placing the tray aside, I slid my arms beneath her, one under her knees, the other cradling her back, and lifted her from the chair. She was light, lighter than I’d expected, though I suppose I shouldn’t have been surprised. She had barely eaten before tonight. Her head tilted against my chest, and I could feel the warmth of her breath against my chest, soft and steady. The fire crackled in the hearth behind us as I turned toward the door, her body settling into mine like she belonged there. I didn’t rush. No point in it. The castle was quiet this time of night, and I wanted her to feel every