A Little Longer

Chadstone couldn’t touch her unless she allowed it; that was the nature of his pursuit, one inviolate rule of every game that every shadow had to overcome. To dance this close, to feel the living warmth of her, was maddening, intoxicating, but he did not lose the rhythm. If he lost his pace that easily, that early, he would never win the game. But he was a shadow, ancient in his own right, and patient. When the dance ended, he returned to his side of the fire. He had waited for twelve years. He could wait just a little longer.