EMMA
Slamming the door shut, I pressed my back against it. My legs shook so badly I thought they might give out beneath me.
My fingers drifted to my lips. They were swollen from Xerxes's kisses.
"What was I thinking?" I whispered hoarsely. "Kissing him like that…"
At the time, all I'd wanted was to distract him, to protect the bag clutched in my hand. But the instant Xerxes's mouth claimed mine, I had lost all sense of reason. I hadn't wanted him to stop. I'd wanted more—wanted his lips on me everywhere, wanted him consuming me—
"Oh, goddess," I whimpered, shaking my head violently, as if that could erase the memory. The shame burned hot. I had been seconds away from letting him take me, right there in the corridor where anyone could have walked by.
My gaze dropped to the canvas bag still clutched to my chest.
What was I going to do with it?
You have to tell someone, Moon urged and her voice a press of urgency in my mind.
