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corner. Pans vibrated and bounced off the counters, banging on the floor. Ileana’s heart raced in time with the furious storm.
    A horrible screech split through the sky, as the red wind screamed at the top of its lungs and swallowed the tiny shack. Ileana covered her ears with her hands and closed her eyes, unsure why this wind, of all things, frightened her. She could face vanators, dragon warriors, harpies—anything. But this screeching wind seemed to eat through her very soul like acid through flesh.
    Large and warm, Yuri’s palm made slow circles on her lower back.
    â€œShh, Ileana, it’s all right,” his voice soothed in a calming litany. A soft glow sparked in her stomach. Like a seed of light, it grew, expanding into her arms and legs until it filled her completely. And always there, always urging the warmth and lightness was Yuri’s voice, telling her she was safe.
    The storm, still rampant and wild in its rage, buffeted, sounding more like a freight train passing just outside the window. A sense of peace and calm washed over her, like a gentle wave cleansing the beach.
    Realization dawned and she gazed up at Yuri. “You entered my mind, didn’t you?”
    A slight curve twisted his lips. “I had to. I couldn’t let you be afraid.”
    â€œCouldn’t let me?” she bristled.
    Yuri sighed and reached out, smoothing a strand of hair away from her face. “I couldn’t bear to see you afraid. Is that better?”
    Ileana opened her mouth to snap back some witty reply, but closed it instead. Using his shoulder as a prop, she leaned her head against him and took in their surroundings for the first time.
    â€œWhat was this building?” she asked, feeling an eerie chill travel up her spine. This shelter had obviously been someone’s home at one time. Articles of clothing still hung on hooks by the door. Pans sat neatly arranged beside the stone hearth carved into the wall, and for the first time, Ileana noticed they sat on what may have once been regarded as a pristine rug, now covered in soot and dust.
    â€œI don’t know,” Yuri replied. “But whoever left this place, left in a hurry.”
    Yuri tilted his head toward the ceiling and scanned the walls. Ileana couldn’t help but admire the sight of him. The flickering red light from the window reflected off his eyes. They shone in the darkness, warm and almost colorful. Reminiscent of a raven’s multihued wing tinged with striking layers of blues and reds that are imperceptible unless examined up close.
    He swallowed and her gaze lowered to his strong jawline, now blurred by the shadow of dark hair that had grown in the past hours. Still trimmed, the smooth goatee perfectly framed his lips. She’d never noticed their shape before, the lower much fuller than the top, the smooth texture. Hers suddenly tingled, growing full, almost heavy. Ileana licked them, tucking the bottom one between her teeth, thinking the languid sensitivity delicious.
    She sucked in a shaky breath, willing him to look at her. The arm around her shoulders tightened. The warm body next to her stiffened, before he looked down at her. The expression on his face seemed both concerned and hungry and was enough to send Ileana reeling to catch her breath all over again.
    By the Goddess, she wanted to look away, wanted to apologize, wanted to sink into a hole and disappear. But the overriding desire to feel his lips on hers kept her eyes from turning away. Instead, she reached up to him, framed his stubble-roughened cheeks beneath her palms, and pulled him closer.
    â€œIleana,” he said, his breath warming her lips.
    Since her parents’ death, she’d hated hearing her name. Yet when Yuri said it, something cold and hard inside her dissolved. She loved to hear her given name on his lips. Loved how his L rolled off his tongue in a sensual purr. It made her feel feline. Made her want to rub her body against