Chapter 102

Conrad handed her the umbrella, his voice hoarse and scratchy. "Here, you hold it." Calliope had no choice but to hold the umbrella with one hand and wrap the other arm around his neck. He stood up effortlessly, long strides cutting through the curtain of rain. She could feel it-he wasn't even trying. Only the pattering of rain hitting the umbrella filled the air, like they'd stepped into a world sealed off from everything else. Her heart started to pound uncontrollably. His back was broad, solid. Even through the thin fabric of his shirt, she could feel the strength rippling beneath-tense, powerful muscles. This... this quiet sense of protection, of being completely shielded, felt deeply grounding and safe. Lucien had carried her on his back like this before too, but it never gave her this kind of security... this type of peace. After a long pause, she finally couldn't hold it in anymore and said softly, "About that night... I'm sorry." He didn't respond. Calliope bit her lip. He's ma