Dark heart rising

Prologue

Pressed back against the dark wood panelling, I felt his lips brush my cheek. No longer cold, but warm and full, gently touching my skin. I felt myself breathe out, not wanting to feel anything, but feeling everything all at once, my head resting on his chest. I could hear his heartbeat mand mine, luod and fierce...

"I never thought I would feel this way about a mortal," he whispered softly into my hair, and I felt the softness of his mouth as it tenderly kissed my neck. I shivered, hot suddenly, and instinctively my back arched.

"I don't want this," I managed to say, my voice husky and strained "This isn't right."

But as his arms moved to circle my waist I didn't push him away. Because, despite the words I had just spoken I did want this. I hated myself for wanting it, but it was consuming me. It was allthere was. Right then, in that moment, it was all I wanted.

Finally he drew back and took my face in his hands, his eyes glinting in the darkness, the sharp line of his cheekbones cutting a hard but beautiful shape. And his mouth, wide and perfect, moved closer to mine, taking my breath away.

He put one finger on my lips, and with his other hand he stroked my face.

"It's OK," he said. "It was a mistake, but I couldn't help myself"

"I..." I struggled with relief, and intense disappointment.

"Shhh." He pressed his finger more firmly against my mouth.

And then he was moving away from me, gently opening the door. He disappeared through it leaving me wide-eyed and disbelieving.

I was left alone, with the sound of my fiercely beating heart.

And the taste of betrayal in my mouth.