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Chapter Thirteen: An Unlikely Ally
It was a moment without breath or movement except for the beating of their hearts and the soft strokes of the dress as it wound itself around Ilyria and Astrapi. The light from Astrapi’s wings glowed luminescent around them. Ilyria surrendered to the warmth of Astrapi’s mouth, to the ripple of muscles beneath his skin and the way her own skin sparked with sensation. He was just a boy and she a girl and if he had asked her then to stay with him, Ilyria would have answered yes with everything she had in her.
But he didn’t and slowly awareness returned to Ilyria that they were not alone and not safe.
She pulled away and Astrapi released her from his arms. His own eyes seemed to echo her own need. They stared at each other for a long moment, neither seemingly knowing where to begin.
A clatter jarred them from their reverie.
“The merchants,” said Ilyria.
Astrapi dropped his wings and they stood surveying the scene. It was still much as they had lef
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