CHAPTER EIGHTY SEVEN – TROUBLE AT SCHOOL

"Nothing and no one will ever part us, darling Cassie," he breathed in an iron tone, knuckles gliding against the silk of her cheek as if to further cement the incandescent solemnity. "Should this truth not remain sacred in the sanctity of hushed confidence, then so be it - we will stare down whatever gale forces arise together as one unbreakable whole." Despite the emotional whiplash still churning such dissonant turmoil inside her, Cassie found herself inexorably anchored to Florian's unwavering resolve. This eternal wellspring she could draw upon when cresting doubt ebbed too close to consuming her own fire, reminding herself again of the primal spark searing between them. So for now at least, she nodded and steeled her nerves against the intangible demons plaguing her - instead turning her focus to the implacable, radiant force guarding her side come what may. They lingered on in quasi-paralytic stasis until the encroaching dawn shattered their refuge, then reluctantly extricated