Page 67 of Death and Desire

Shaking away the thought, she offered a shy smile to Aziz. “You flatter me, sir.”

“I speak the truth.” He reached out, caressing her cheek with soft fingertips. “You are a woman of rare beauty.”

“Do you attempt to seduce all the Englishwomen you meet?” Violet teased, slowly leaning into his touch, ignoring the persistent ache in her chest.

He’s not Khalid, her mind raged.

But Khalid hadn’t chosen her. He chose his heart. He didn’t eventry. She cursed him and turned her attention to the man before her.

Aziz closed the gap between them. His fingers traced the contours of her face, down her jaw. She shivered as he followed the path of the gold chain around her neck and brushed the sensitive skin along her collar bone.

“Seduction is not a game I indulge in often, sweet Violet.” His fingertips slid into the mass of curls at the base of her neck.

A moan slipped from her lips at the welcome pressure.

“Is that what you desire?” He drew closer, his breath caressing her lips. “To be seduced?”

“I...” A brief thought of Khalid made her pause, but she shut him out. “Yes, please,” she murmured, “make me forget.”

His mouth covered hers. A second hand joined the first, and cradling her head between his hands, he teased the seam of her mouth, begging her to open for him.

The scent of him was wrong. The press of his body unfamiliar.

Panic infused her.

Violet wrenched herself back, breaking the kiss, her breaths heavy and gasping.

“I–I’m sorry.” She broke away, putting space between them. “It’s not you...I just...I’m sorry. I can’t.”

Aziz straightened, clasping his hands behind his back. “I understand.” He bowed. “My apologies. I shall give you a few moments alone.”

Violet watched him leave with his hands in his pockets, as though he hadn’t just turned her world upside down.

She turned back to the view overlooking the gardens and took several deep breaths to steady her racing heart.What is wrong with me?

Violet pressed her hand to her throat, seeking reassurance and comfort from her mother’s locket.

But there was nothing there.

Both hands flew to her throat.

No chain. No locket.

It was gone.

“Oh no!” Violet spun, dropping to her knees, searching the ground. Did it break? It was there just a moment ago.

She searched everywhere, but darkness and space hindered her search. Where had it gone?

The memory of Aziz’s hands on her, toying with her hair at the base of her neck. Had he stolen it? But why...how? Surely, she would have known...she would have felt it.

Despair filled her. She turned to the club behind her. Chasing him felt like a monumental task. There were hundreds of people in the club. If he had stolen her locket, he was surely gone by now.

“Not my locket too.” Tears filled her eyes. First the jewel and now the locket. Whatever remnants of her mother that had remained were now gone. Stolen.

But why?Whysteal the locket? It was worth nothing to the world but everything to her. A locket with a photograph and sentimental memories. Nothing of importance to anyone. Except her.

My pendant is gone.My mother’s photograph. My last connection to her. Lost forever.

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