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Wiping tears of laughter from her eyes as he finished the story, Ena said, “So I was right then. You are reckless.”

“I prefer…adventurous,” Ty replied, grinning mischievously in return.

“Ah, I see. Well, that’s where you and I differ.” Ena sighed, her laughter finally calming as she shook her head.

“You’re not adventurous?” Ty asked. “As someone who watched you climb that cliff yesterday with very little convincing, I might disagree with you.”

Ena laughed at that, but quickly turned serious as the conversation seemed to hit a sore spot for her.

“I’ve never done anything like that before.

Sometimes…I want to be adventurous. But like with learning to swim, I just get scared the worst will happen or I’ll lose control and it’s just…

easier to stay on the safe path, the known one. So that’s what I choose.”

Ty seemed to ponder that for a moment. “Yeah, that’s true.

It is safer. And I’m sure I could use some of that temperance, at least according to my dad.

” Ty smiled sadly at the mention of his father.

“But I can’t seem to help myself. There’s too much to gain from the unknown paths.

There’s so much to discover, and that adrenaline rush that hits when you find something amazing…

there’s nothing like it.” Ty’s face lit up with that mischievous grin again, and Ena could help but smile back at him.

“You make me feel like I could do that, you know,” she said quietly.

“Do what?”

“Face the unknown.”

They looked at each other for a moment, their gazes full of anticipation. Ena knew what was coming, what was inevitable, but she wasn’t sure she was ready for it quite yet.

Together, they turned to look at the sky. The night was clear, only a few wispy clouds covering the moon. A river of stars that mirrored the one flowing next to them filled the sky, and all together, the sea of tiny lights was so bright it nearly outshone the moon. It was beautiful.

“What do witches know of the stars?” Ty asked her casually, breaking the tension.

“Hmm. Well, Gaia created them to guide us, so we might always find our way and know how to orient ourselves to her path. But they can also tell us stories.”

“Stories?” he asked, seeming rapt by this knowledge.

“Yes,” Ena replied, smiling lightly at his enthusiasm. “The shapes they form tell us the way things once were, and how they may be again. Their movements are one of the ways we interpret Gaia’s will.”

“I see,” Ty said, seeming to contemplate this. “What’s that mean then?” he asked, pointing to a cluster of stars that formed a vague serpent shape.

“I believe that’s Draco. He is a terrifying snake-like creature with wings.”

“Wow, and he used to exist?”

“Used to, or will one day. We’re not sure yet.” Ena smiled lightly again as she watched Ty stare in awe at the stars. “You don’t know all this? About the stars?”

“No,” he said, shaking his head as he stared. “We don’t see them much where I live. It’s…cloudy a lot.”

Ena nodded in understanding as they fell into a companionable silence, watching the stars and the light wisps of clouds drifting across the sky.

Looking over at Ty, she took in his features and found herself loving his wonder at the things she took for granted.

She didn’t know why it hit her then, but all of a sudden, the words came spilling out.

“I think I’ll miss you,” she said quietly. “When you leave.”

Ty was silent for a second, then said, “I’ll miss you too.”

Ena was suddenly filled with an overwhelming sadness, her chest aching and tears beginning to pool in her eyes.

Everything she’d told herself, all the lies about this just being a fling, something just for fun, came crashing down around her as she realized that what she had here, with him, was special.

It was something she’d never experienced before.

But Gaia, it made her feel alive, and she didn’t want to let it go.

“Do you think we’ll ever see each other again?” she asked.

“I’m not sure,” Ty replied quietly. She could hear the strain in his voice, as if it pained him greatly to say so.

Ena looked away, wiping at her eyes and feeling foolish for falling so hard, so fast for this boy.

Part of her wanted to pull away, leave right now before she became even more attached.

But a louder, braver part of her urged her to be bold, and seize this moment while she had it. Because it might never come again.

“You know, I realized what word it was I couldn’t think of when you arrived earlier,” Ty said, bringing her out of her thoughts.

“What’s that?” she asked.

“Perfect,” he said, looking at her as if she were as beautiful as the night sky. “You look perfect.”

Before she knew what she was doing, Ena leaned into him.

She put her mouth on his, breathing in his masculine scent.

His lips were as soft as she remembered and they opened instantly for her.

He quickly took control of the kiss, like he’d been waiting for it all night.

He grabbed the back of her head, twining his fingers into her hair, and pulled her closer.

Their tongues twisted together, tasting of cherry wine and summer heat.

Reaching forward, Ena grabbed his shirt and pulled him closer, but it still wasn’t close enough.

The sadness she had felt was quickly replaced by pure, mind-numbing lust as his tongue moved deftly against her own, licking into her mouth and making every nerve in her body come alive.

She let her desire guide her as she brought her leg around to straddle him until she was sitting on his lap.

He responded with a groan, deep in his throat, almost like a growl.

He released her hair and brought both hands down to cup her bottom, squeezing lightly and pulling her closer to him.

Beneath his trousers, she could feel his hardness growing.

Instinctively, she ground up against it, seeking the friction on her sensitive flesh.

That spot between her legs began to throb, aching for more.

She felt herself spiraling, spiraling out of control as she yearned for Ty to touch her there, touch her everywhere.

Their kiss grew fevered and frantic as he sucked on her tongue and she wrapped her arms around his neck, riding him through his pants.

Sensing her urgency, Ty pulled back. “Ena,” he gasped. “Tell me now if you want to stop. I don’t want to go further than you want to.”

“Don’t stop,” she said, shaking her head and meeting his gaze. “I want you. All of you.”

“Are you sure?” Ty asked, breathing just as heavily as she was.

“Yes,” she said, but through her lust-fogged brain, a hint of insecurity crept in. “But I…I’ve never done it before. Had sex, I mean. Have you?” she asked.

She knew it was probably dumb to ask. The way he’d had girls fawning over him at the Litha gathering clearly demonstrated that he’d had the opportunity before.

“Yes,” Ty said, and she wasn’t sure if it made her feel better or worse.

He studied her for a second, but his face wasn’t filled with shock or disappointment. It was filled with understanding, like he saw her now. Truly. Fully.

Gently, he said, “I take a monthly contraceptive, so we could, if you want to. Or we could just kiss, or talk. Whatever you want, Ena.”

Ena considered this for a moment. She knew this was fast—they’d only known each other a few days.

She’d come close to having sex a few other times with different boys, but she’d never gone through with it because she’d never felt…

like this. Like she would die if he didn’t keep touching her.

Like she wanted to breathe him into her lungs and make him a part of her.

She knew it was probably na?ve, because she’d only known him for such a short time, but she felt safe with him. She trusted him.

“I want to,” she said, the realization dawning on her. “Even if we never see each other again, I don’t want to forget this. Forget you. You’re…you’re everything I’ve ever wanted.”

“Oh, Ena,” he said, holding her face in his hands tenderly. “You’re more than I’ve ever dreamed.”

Then he kissed her again. Harder this time, fiercer, like he, too, couldn’t fathom the idea of letting her go.

Ena let her boldness guide her yet again and grasped at his shirt, tugging it up.

Following her lead, Ty broke the kiss briefly to bring it over his head.

As soon as he tossed it aside, his lips were on hers again, as if drawn to her like a magnet.

She ran her hands down his smooth, hard torso, feeling the ripples of his muscles down his stomach.

Reaching between them, he began to slowly unlace the front of her dress.

The anticipation she felt in that moment made her almost lightheaded.

She felt her skin heat and her nipples tighten where his hands brushed against them over her dress.

Once the bodice was loose, Ty gently pushed the dress off her shoulders and down her arms, leaving it to pool at her waist.

Her breasts were fully exposed, her rosy nipples peaked in the cool night air. Ty looked down and stared at her in awe. She’d never had a boy stare at her so reverently before. As if he was seconds away from getting on his knees and worshiping at her feet.

Ty’s large, warm hands came up to cup her breasts, his thumbs sweeping lightly over her nipples. “You are so beautiful, Ena,” he whispered, resting his forehead against hers. “It almost hurts to look at you.”

Ena huffed a small laugh. “Close your eyes then,” she said.

“I wouldn’t dare,” he replied. Tilting his head, he kissed her again, deeply, thoroughly, as he kneaded her breasts in his hands. Releasing one, he lightly stroked his hand up her bare back, and brought it once again into her hair.