The world should have remained silent. It should have belonged to them—the heat of Valex's embrace and the echo of his confession. But as Odesse buried her face against his shoulder, a silver chill swept through her mind, cutting through the warmth like a blade.
"Do not get too comfortable; it's almost midnight, child,"a voice vibrated against her skull, ancient and cold.
Odesse stiffened in Valex's arms, the heartbeat she had been dreaming of suddenly drowned out by the moonlight screaming in her head. She gently pulled back to look up at Valex and said, "Master Valex..."
Valex pulled back just enough to gaze into her eyes, a playful, tender smile tugging at his lips. "No," he whispered, shaking his head. "No more 'Master Valex.' Not when we're like this."
Odesse blinked, the old habit tugging at her tongue. She looked puzzled, her head tilting slightly. "Then... what do I call you?"
