The meeting went on for a while after that. The date for the hunt was set and many things prepared.

By the time Matthew returned to his room, the sun had long since risen high in the sky. He found Emerald coming out from the side bathroom, her hair damp and her skin flushed from the heat of her bath.

Without a word, he crossed the room and pulled her into a fierce embrace, burying his face in the crook of her neck as he inhaled her comforting scent.

Emerald tensed momentarily, surprised by his sudden display of affection, but soon relaxed into his embrace, her arms winding around his...