With each step, her heart hammered painfully in her chest. Sweat trickled down her back, and soft flutters of desire began to flicker between her legs.

The dream was the same every time.

The thought of seeing him naked on the bed brought swells of delight surging through her body. Already she was wet with an intense craving that left her breathless.

As she neared the bed, she could see the outline of him lying on the satin covers through the translucent white curtains hanging down from the canopy. With a trembling hand, she lifted the drape from the bed and knelt onto the mattress.

He was waiting for her, like he did every night. Stretched out across the bed, his head supported by his hand, he looked like a golden angel. His long blond hair was arranged artfully over his shoulders and fanned out around him like spun gold. He had flawless skin the color of alabaster, and it only accentuated the ripples of muscle in his arms, chest, stomach, and legs. Everything about him screamed perfection.

But it was his eyes that had always drawn her. Pale as moonlight and just as mysterious, they pulled at her insides. When he looked at her, she was like raw clay in his hands with which he could do anything he wanted.

"I have been waiting for you, my love."

His crisp lilting voice sang in her head, reminding her of a bubbling brook, much like the one in the garden of her childhood home. Smiling, she slid onto the bed, nestled her body next to his. His heat penetrated her skin and warmed her blood. When he touched her, she knew nothing but his flavor, his intensity. Here, in his arms, passion was the only thing that existed.

"And I am here." Lifting her head, she pressed her lips to his.

Raising his hand, he buried it into the tangle of her long auburn hair and pulled her closer, deepening the kiss. She sighed as his tongue touched hers in a long, liquid dance. Ripples of pleasure coursed over her, gathering into a tight sizzling ball right at her center. Thinking no longer seemed possible as pulse after throbbing pulse surged up from between her quivering legs.

His palm cupped her cheek. With one last press of his lips, he pulled back and gazed into her eyes.

"It is time, Branlyn."

"Hmm?" She sighed, cuddling into his warmth.

"You have run for long enough."

Closing her eyes against the memories of another time, she shook her head. "It is never long enough."

He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. "I know it is painful, but you must return."

"I can't."

"You can, and you must." He snuggled into her neck and kissed her gently. "It is time you went home."

Sighing, Branlyn felt the tears welling in her eyes. She knew this moment would come. The first night he visited her in her dreams, he said that one day would come when he would ask her for something. If she had known he would ask this of her, she might have pushed him out of her mind the first time he materialized.

"Will you be there?" she asked, her voice wavering.

"Of course, my love. I have never left."