Ilona stared unblinking at the figure behind Peirce Vane. It was so dark now that she could barely make him out in the shadows, but she would know this man anywhere. Her heart knew him. Everything melted away around them until it was as if it were the two of them alone in the clearing.
"Mason."
The word fell from Ilona's lips, barely a whisper. Lightning flashed and for a moment, his handsome face was clear, smiling fondly at her. He had dark shadows of exhaustion under his eyes and he desperately needed a shave, but to Ilona, he had never looked so perfect. Her head was spinning as her heart fluttered wildly, skipping beats as much as making them. She couldn't believe what she was seeing. She had thought she would never see his handsome face again.
The pair were so distracted by each other that neither paid any attention to the man that stood between them or the apprehension growing on his face.
