#Chapter 51: Moon Soaked Skin

It was like the kiss at the palace. Our lips mended together with a delicate passion, like they were hungry but trying to save their rations. His hands found my face and caressed my cheeks, holding my face as softly as glass. I melted into him, threading my fingers through his hair. My whole world in that moment was the droplets of water on his skin, the fairy lights glowing beyond my closed eyelids, and lavender and sandalwood. He was my entire universe. In the midst of the slow kiss, I couldn’t help but feel suddenly hyper aware of our naked chests pressed together. He had never seen me this way; or at least, was never in the right state to remember being this way. The reminder felt like cold water poured down my spine. I pulled away, my breathing increasing slightly. “Let’s swim,” I said, flashing him an attempted smile that I hoped appeared enthusiastic enough. He hesitated before nodding, sinking back into the water. To avoid