Erik’s POV

To the Gods, Poppy was beautiful.

And perhaps it was the adrenaline coursing through my veins from defeating death in that Alder tree or leftover excitement from sneaking around the palace, but I felt this deep visceral need to capture her lips.

She stared up at me as I told her everything that once bored me and now all the things that intrigued me. I watched her eyes widen with every admission. I allowed her to withdraw and shoot my advancement ...