The final gray light of the sun had faded without Kel noticing, and suddenly she found herself surrounded by flickering candlelight as she sat frozen in front of the emperor.
The orange glow danced across the emperor's lips as they slowly moved toward hers.
A kiss.
It wasn't like the others she'd experienced from this man before. There was no wild passion or gentle sweetness in the movement of their mouths. Instead, it seemed as if a tiny thread was pulled taut between them, likely to snap at any moment.
Giving herself to the pressure of the emperor's body against hers, Kel gradually sank down until her back sank into the mattress.
With one hand, the emperor guided her head softly onto her pillow, his thumb brushing against her ear while his fingers tangled themselves in her hair.
He used his other hand to explore the curves of her body, gingerly stroking from her waist to her hips.
