She pulled back slowly, her eyes wide, dazed, and confused. Her lush lips were parted and softly swollen from my kiss, the emerald magic clinging to them. It had worked. She sagged in my arms, and I cradled her against me. “It’s okay. It’s okay. I got you.” “Wha—” She stared up at me. “I’m going to help you as I promised. Your burdens are my burdens, remember?” Her eyes met mine, emotions swimming in their depths. Finally, I had reached her, at least for a moment.
