CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-NINE - HEARTFELT CONNECTION

Slowly, almost unconsciously, Anna found herself leaning down. Erik's hand came up to cup her cheek, guiding her closer. Their lips met in a soft, tentative kiss that quickly deepened, filled with all the unspoken feelings they'd been harboring. When they finally broke apart, both slightly breathless, Erik smiled up at her. "I've been wanting to do that for a while," he admitted. Anna grinned back, her heart racing. "Me too." The sound of the power humming back to life broke the moment, the training room suddenly flooded with light. Anna blinked at the brightness, reluctantly moving off Erik as they both sat up. Erik cleared his throat, a slight flush on his cheeks that Anna found utterly endearing. "Well," he said, "I think that's enough excitement for one training session. How about we call it a night?" Anna nodded, still feeling a bit dazed from the kiss. As they made their way out of the training room, Erik's hand found hers, their fingers intertwining naturally. It felt right