**Gaia**

Someone's coming.

Panic floods through me. I shove Lysander away with strength I didn't know I had.

"Gaia, wait—"

But I'm already running deeper into the forest, away from the path, away from whoever's approaching.

My heart pounds. My body still thrums with unfulfilled desire. But shame crashes over me in waves.

What was I thinking? What was I about to do?

I press my back against a tree, breathing hard, listening.

"Well, well." ...