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Slowly backing away, I left her and headed back into the ballroo for Winter

Theto Michael and Emmy I walked for her

Taking her hand, I saw her srabbed hold with both of her hands

“Where’s Octavia?” she asked

“Treasure hunting with Mads,” Iher with me without a word or look to the other two “Come on”

Without question, she held onto uided her into the foyer, underneath the candlelit chandelier, and to the door to the catacombs

I pulled open the latch, ushered her inside, and closed it behind us, i down the stairs

“What’s wrong?” she asked, wrapping her arms around my neck

“I need to hold you”

“You are holding me”

“You knohat Iher lips

She didn’t press further, just let me carry her into the bath and set her back on her feet The candlelight extended into the cataco off the surface

Reaching over, I turned the knob, the spouts in the ceiling springing to life, and water poured into the small pool in a circle of about twenty different strea down

I tore offtheot to work on Winter I unlaced the corset and pushed down her dress before peeling off her underthings, leaving the ribbons in her hair

Heat coursed under ht of her, and I pulled her into asped over her lips

She wrapped her legs aroundchills all over my body

I sat down, taking her with ed her to me and buried my face in her hair

She tensed, but I just squeezed tighter, trying to feel solid again I hated doubt, and h to not letany e the people who raised ed next