For a Paladin Blessed with speed, I was pretty slow tonight it seemed, especially when Kiera squealed—actually squealed!—and before I knew it, my face was pressed against the side of her neck, and I was instantly enveloped by the smell of pine after it had rained.

Her grip loosened as if she had also just realized what she had done, but before she could move away, I did something uncharacteristic as well: I held on and filled my lungs with her scent, for just a few moments longer. ...