Chapter 292

• “Leonardo?” I whispered, gently cupping his face, my hands trembling against his ice-cold skin. His pale complexion mirrored the glassy sheen of his eyes, and the stubble on his chin prickled against my fingertips, sending a faint wisp of steam spiraling between us. I reached deep within, calling on the magic that connected me to the sun, building a flame in the center of my chest, a fire fueled by thoughts of him. This time, the warmth felt different—pure, radiant, like a blend of all the elements combined. It spread across my skin, glowing golden against the silvery shimmer that seemed to cloak him.
• “Can you hear me?” I asked, pressing my hands firmly against his cheeks, willing him to respond. But his vacant stare remained unchanged, more distant than before.
• Then, in a sudden motion, his icy hands locked around my wrists. His grip was tight, painful, yet I resisted the urge to pull away. Desperately, I pressed my lips to his. His hold loosened, and I felt him pause, his surprise a flicker of awareness. I wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling myself against him, feeling the tension dissolve as my nightgown brushed against his bare chest. A strange sensation bloomed within me—a weight in my chest, a tingling sensitivity radiating across my skin.