Rowan was almost overcome with a sensation unlike any she’d previously experienced. There was a strange deafness in her ears, as if she had been standing too close to a roaring surf for too long. Her eyes lost focus and the world went grey as if she were about to faint, but she did not sway. A shock of power, almost visible it was so strong, raced through her body, starting at where his lips met her flesh. It was over in an instant, but the instant seemed to take forever to pass.

She recovered herself and looked from her hand to his face. His eyes were wide and his mouth was slightly open.

“What was that?” she asked him.

“I don’t understand what you mean.” He tried to pull away from her but she held hand fast.

“You had to have felt that. That was too strong to come from me alone.” He pulled at her hand again and she released him. His eyes shifted past her to something they didn’t quite focus on.

“You are mistaken, Lady Brill.”

“Marcus.” His name got his attention and she saw her answer in his eyes. He felt it. He contributed to it. He would not discuss it. He raised a gloved hand to her cheek and pulled away a tear.