"Come here."
To her ears, it sounded like a tempting invitation that was enough to make her want to forget all senses and fall into his arms. He sounded like he always was, just not quite a command, but more like a pull she could not resist.
Ilaria hesitated, her pulse a nervous flutter in her throat as she carefully stepped closer, her slippers whispering against the marble. When she stopped before him, he reached up and, with surprising gentleness, brushed his fingers along the edge of her veil, making her freeze where she stood.
The touch was light, almost reverent, as he slid the fabric off of her shoulders. The thin silk caught briefly against her cheek before falling away, and suddenly, there was nothing between them but air.
Ilaria's breath hitched. He was only removing the veil, but it felt like he had just stripped her naked.
"I-I already… bathed this morning," she said. It sounded like an excuse even to her own ears, but she could not help it.
