Their words were but a mere whisper into the space between their lips.
Varziel slid his hand from her wrist to her jaw, brushing his thumb gently along the curve of her cheek. His touch was gentle, almost reverent, as though he feared that she would disappear if he held her too tightly. His heart raced wildly in his chest, louder and faster than it ever had in any battle.
Varziel had known pain, rage, ecstasy. But *this*... this was a new feeling entirely.
His breath caught in his throat once more as his eyes met Arella's golden ones. They were tinged with a deeper light, and locked onto his, it felt as if he was staring into galaxies.
He could feel the bond pulling tautly between them, just but a thread of energy that pulsed with need. Need so strong that it felt like it was pouring out of him in waves. The hum of her halo grew stronger—louder—no longer a soft violin, but sounding more like a symphony.
