The knock at the door shattered the fragile atmosphere between them.
Elysia's breath caught in her throat as she and Malvoria pulled apart instinctively, the warmth of their shared moment evaporating in an instant.
For a second, neither of them moved.
Then, as if struck by the same thought, they both began adjusting themselves—Elysia quickly smoothing down her clothes, Malvoria straightening her posture, her face returning to its usual cold mask of indifference.
It was ridiculous.
Absolutely ridiculous.
They were acting like they had been caught doing something forbidden.
But it had felt forbidden, hadn't it? The kiss—their kiss—still tingled on Elysia's lips, replaying in her mind in a frantic loop. The way Malvoria's touch had burned just enough to make her shiver, the way she had softened instead of taking, the way Elysia had leaned into her—
Elysia's heart pounded in her chest.
The knock came again, more insistent this time.
