Millicent did not know how she had managed to return to the tavern, could not remember shifting back to human.

She growled low in her throat.

She could not allow that to happen again.

Gareth broke the kiss, pulling his face back to stare deeply into her eyes, his blond hair falling across his forehead and cheeks. “What is it?”

Millicent shook her head, pulled him down to her using her were-strength, and rolled them both over until she lay atop him. She supposed they might be more comfortable in the bed, but they lay near the wall, and a shallow wave from the enchanted mural lapped over their bodies, curled about his broad shoulders. She felt the cool slide of the water against her legs, felt it gently tug at the hem of her skirts. Starlight reflected off the lake and into Gareth’s crystal-blue eyes. A light breeze tugged at the few loose curls in her coiffure, and she could smell the sharp scent of pine from the forest off in the distance, the lush scent of meadowsweet blooming in a clearing between the trees. She could see through the magic, of course, if she wanted to.

She didn’t want to.

Millicent sat up, straddling Gareth’s hips, and unbuttoned her bodice, the worn fabric allowing her to shed it easily. She tossed the ragged cloth aside, one of the best she owned, but nothing to compare to the gowns the duke had provided her with. Then she half turned so Gareth could reach the ties of her corset, giving him an arch look over her shoulder.

He grinned, that delightful one where his full lips curved to create two little lines next to the corners of his mouth. The smile reached his eyes, changing the brilliant blue to a soft azure. His skilled fingers made quick work of her laces, and he tossed aside her corset as carelessly as she had her bodice, then untied her skirt and petticoat, until they fell down her hips, allowing her to slide her chemise over her head.

Millicent did not bother to take the time to discard her skirts. She slid down Gareth’s lap, untied his drawers, and pulled them down his angular hips. He was already hard, rigid, and full. She had intended to pleasure him slowly, to savor what she feared might be the very last time she made love to him. But she had spoken truly to Gareth. She had never felt so empty before, so very much alone. Nell had been more of an anchor than Millicent had ever suspected. She needed to fill this emptiness inside her, to selfishly lose herself in his love. To remind her of the joys of being human.

Millicent leaned forward and took him inside her.

He sucked in a breath through clenched teeth.

“Did I hurt you?” she whispered.

Gareth strangled on a laugh, clutched her hips, and began to rock her. Millicent fell forward onto her arms, sunk her fingers into the thick carpet, and opened her body and soul to her white knight. She tried to emblazon the feel of him in her mind, for the memory would have to last her the rest of her life. His strong fingers dug into her bottom as he pressed her down to him. She felt her nub rub against the smooth skin of his pelvis, and the friction added to the fire already burning inside her womb.

She threw back her head and arched her back, pulling him deeper inside her.

Millicent exploded unexpectedly, her breath coming in harsh pants as ecstasy shook her. She felt Gareth throbbing inside her; as always, his release a match to hers. She absently wondered if all men could do that, or if this was yet another one of his special skills. For it increased her pleasure twofold, and it took her a very long time to come back down to earth again.

When she became aware of her surroundings once more, she realized her coiffure had come undone, and she sagged over Gareth’s lean body, her face hidden within the dark strands. She also realized she felt infinitely better… and that she had rushed their encounter.

Millicent slowly rose, regretting the loss of him inside her as soon as she did so. He lay spent on the sandy carpet, his eyes closed, his breathing still ragged. She quickly stripped off her skirts, stood naked in the magical starlight. Shallow water swirled about her ankles, over his muscular legs. But the illusion did not quite reach reality, for the waves looked nearly transparent, and her skin felt dry.

She walked over to the washbasin, wet a cloth, and cleaned herself, then wet another and returned to his side.

“Take off your clothes,” she instructed.

Gareth opened one eye, grinned at her, and then sat up and proceeded to follow her orders. Millicent knelt next to him, placed her hand against his smooth chest, and pushed him back down after he tore off his last garment. Starlight gleamed in his hair, burnishing it gold. Like his eyes, it changed color according to the light, and she thought she liked it best right now, the shade akin to a shiny gold sovereign. And she liked his eyes best now too: twinkling with starlight and darkened to a smoky blue.

Millicent took her clean, wet cloth and smoothed it over his brow, watching the strands of hair around his face curl from the damp. She traced his nose, the fine straight shape—except for the slight turn up at the end, which she realized added to his boyish handsomeness. She smoothed the cloth over his full lips, noting the wide shape of his mouth. Then across his cheeks, the bones slightly prominent, and then along his firm, slightly square chin.

She must memorize every inch of him. She could not allow her memory of him to fade over the years. It would be all she had left.

His neck, the skin ridiculously soft and vulnerable. His shoulders, incredibly broad and strong. His chest, the sculpted ridges and valleys and the slight puckering of his nipples.

Gareth watched her with a quizzical look, which abruptly faded when she reached his pelvis, ran the cloth over his shaft. Even after their lovemaking, it had remained half-erect, and she watched, slightly amazed, as it stirred to life once again.

Millicent dropped the cloth, remembering how Gareth had made love to her with his mouth. She would not only memorize the sight of every inch of him, but his taste, as well. She dipped her head.

Gareth groaned.

Her tongue tingled. Slightly salty. Rich and heady, like strong ale. She explored the length of him, until he started to tremble, and clenched his fists at his sides. And then she retraced the path her cloth had taken earlier, until she reached his mouth, and he grasped the back of her head, kissing her with an intensity that made her tremble.

And then the world spun, and Millicent found herself on her back, Gareth inside her, slowly, sweetly making love to her again.

If she died tonight, she would be content.

She blinked the burn of tears from her eyes. She had shed more today than she had in her entire life, and she would never cry again. She vowed she would not have a reason to.

Gareth whispered in her ear, nonsense words of passion and endearments. He made love to her this time as if he sought to comfort her as well: gentle, gliding motions that slowly built a delirious heat inside her once again. And Millicent responded by dancing to the loving tune with him, touching him wherever her hands could reach. Saying good-bye with tender caresses.

They reached that peak together, and tumbled over it slowly, clasped so tightly together Millicent thought, for just that one moment, they might have become one being.

“Gareth,” she murmured, tasting his name on her lips, memorizing the feel of it in her mouth.

He lifted his head, his eyes so incredibly blue, so incredibly intense.

“Millicent,” he breathed… and then disappeared.

She blinked for a moment, startled by the cold air replacing the warmth of his body, his sudden absence. Dawn had come too quickly.

Millicent sat up, held her head in her hands for a moment. Gareth.

She sighed, and stood. The painting on the wall had lightened, and the one lone window across the room now glowed with the pale coming of the sun. Something she had little experience with. But it occurred to her that she stood in a room aboveground… and she had a task to do.

Muck up the duke’s grand schemes. Revenge for Nell.

Millicent went back to the washbasin and splashed her face, dispelling the dreamy aura Gareth had created. By the time she finished washing, a beam of sunlight slanted into the room, fell on a glint of moonstone.

The bracelet.

As usual, it had fallen off her arm when they had made love. It must have been after the first time, but she could not remember losing the bracelet. She bent down and picked it up, cradling it in her hand. She had promised him she would never give the relic to another, that she would always return it to her wrist, so he would come to her again.

But she knew she could no longer keep that promise. Too many reasons bade her otherwise, but the most compelling one was simple. She loved him.

Millicent set the bracelet on the mahogany wood top of the washstand and strode over to the chair that held what appeared to be over a dozen gowns. Heavens. She picked up a chemise edged with fine lace and pulled it over her head, when a knock at the door interrupted her.

“Yes?”

The door cracked open, the beaked-nosed face of her hostess peeking through the crack. “I thought I might come myself to help you dress, dear, instead of one of the maids. Bran led me to believe there is a bit of… secrecy regarding your errand.”

“I can manage fine by myself. I am not used to maids and whatnot.”

Undaunted, Lady Roseus slipped into the room, a smile on her face. Despite her rather large nose, or perhaps because of it, she was a strikingly lovely woman. She wore a pink morning gown, the shade matching the color of her cheeks. “Here, let me help you with those laces.”

She punctuated her words with a decisive honk. Millicent sighed and turned around, holding up the linen corset to her front. She did need help, and if Bran liked the lady, she should make an effort to do so as well.

“Where is Sir Gareth?” asked Lady Roseus as she tugged on the corset strings.

“You just missed him,” replied Millicent, the ghost of a smile on her face. Apparently, Bran did not trust the lady enough to reveal any of their secrets. She would take her cue from that, for she could feel the other woman fairly quivering with curiosity.

“Your human form is just as lovely as your were-panther, Lady Millicent. The color of your hair matches your coat… sleek, black, and shiny.”

“Thank you.” Millicent turned around and studied the gowns.

“And your eyes,” continued Lady Roseus, “such a lovely shade of gold, and slanted just like your panther’s.”

Millicent flushed, ignoring the lady’s further compliments. She supposed she would just choose the gown on top. She picked it up, and Lady Roseus honked.

“Oh, my dear, not that one. With your coloring, let’s see…” She dug through the pile. “This bronze poplin, now, this will be quite complimentary on you. I must apologize for all the pink gowns. I did not know what you looked like, and I have so many of them…”

She looked so earnest, and concerned, that Millicent could not help but warm to her, and tried to hide the dismay on her face as she gazed at the dress. “I’m sure this will suit.” The dress looked extremely… fussy. But she supposed Lady Yardley would be impressed by it. The hem and sleeves and an apron-like square down the front had all been edged with scallops. Lady Roseus handed her matching bronze shoes, a small black lace hat trimmed with bronze beads, and a pair of light green gloves.

The lady tamed Millicent’s hair into a presentable chignon, pinned the silly hat on her head, and handed her a bronze-beaded reticule and black lace parasol. Millicent retrieved the bracelet from the washstand and stuffed it into the small bag, fighting the urge to return it to her wrist. She turned and faced Lady Roseus, lifting her chin to combat the sadness in her heart.

“You look smashing, my dear,” said the smaller woman. “The carriage is waiting, but my man will need a destination.”

“I shall give it to him,” replied Millicent.

Her hostess’s face fell.

“I thought curiosity was my animal’s faulty nature.”

Lady Roseus pinked at the subtle gibe. “I am really quite fond of Bran.”

Millicent raised a brow.

“I am interested in anything concerning him… especially if it could be dangerous.”

“Do not fear, Lady Roseus. My task will not endanger him, or any of your household.” Millicent studied the other woman. “You must care for him a great deal to aid him with little knowledge of the reason.”