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Because the Harvest has taken every ordinary thing and twisted it into something else. Drinking became a rite. Eating became an offering. Dancing became the Revel. Running became the Hunt.

Every choice I made tonight has been twisted into something I never agreed to.

But this?

This is mine.

“Yes.”

His fingers tighten around mine “Say it.”

My heart pounds against his thumb. “I want you to touch me.”

The Earth pulses beneath us.

Neither of us looks down.

He doesn’t take his eyes off me. “And if the Harvest disappeared right now?”

There’s something almost vulnerable beneath the question.

Not the Tiller.

Not an immortal man who has spent centuries learning how to hide fear.

Just him.

I close the last sliver of distance between us. “I’d still want you.”

For one suspended second, he doesn’t breathe.

Neither do I.

Then his forehead lowers until it rests against mine.

The Earth goes still then he pulls me against him and his mouth finds mine. This kiss is nothing like the first. The first was curiosity. This is hunger.

My hands slide into his dark hair, my nails digging into his scalp as his arms lock around me.

The dirt shifts beneath our boots but I don’t care… I deepen the kiss as he walks me backward. One step… two then my heel catches the edge of the hollow. He tightens his hold before I fall.

We finally pull apart, both of us breathing a little harder than we were before.

Then our attention drops to the hollow beneath us.

Warm black earth waits at our feet.

I stare at it.

At him.

Back at the dirt.

And start laughing.

His brows furrow. “What?”

“Of course.”