It's Erie and me again on the balcony. But this time, we're sitting side by side. Holding hands, her head on my shoulder, and we're talking. Favorite color, favorite foods, the things we probably should have been talking about first.

    "I mean, I like pink, but sunset colors are also pretty. But like, the color schemes together. Green just by itself is a different story, but when it's combined with other colors of a Devog sunset that's good."

    Pink. Sunset. It reminds me of the necklace. Arroyo just finished it today. How could I forget? I was so anxious to give it to her when he first handed me the box.

    "Wait, I have something for you." I pull away from her and get to my feet. I scramble over next to my bed, a giant circular mattress almost in the middle of the room, and reach under the pillow. I didn't want anyone finding it. It's for Erie, and only for Erie. No one else gets a say in this.

I rushed back over to where I was sitting and set the golden box in front of her. As always, she has a curious grin on her face.

"What's this?"

I scoot closer to her, resting a hand on one of her knees. I want to see her smile the moment she sees the necklace. "Open it and you'll see."

I love how excited she is when she flips open the lid. She takes the silver choker decorated in the wonderful pink, white, and orange jewels and silver chains in her hands. Her eyes go as wide as her grin.

"This is for me?"

I nod. "Just for you."

She's so excited she can't even open the clasp. I have to do it for her, but I don't mind.

I scoot behind her, the necklace ends in my hands. I close the clasp when I know it's comfortable on her. The metal clatters when I let go and settles around her neck. It looks beautiful on her. For once she has something on besides black or white. Of course, she looks incredible in it.

She fidgets with the crystal when she finally finds the words. "I love this! Where'd you get it? Cause now I feel like I need to get one for you and we can have matching necklaces. I mean, you would look beautiful in one of these."

I laugh. She makes me so happy I just want to cry. "I'm glad you do. I had a friend custom make it, so there's no way you'd be able to get another one. Completely hand-made. Just for you."

Erie's smiling and giggling and laughing like there's no tomorrow.

She's so pretty. Her hair shining in the moonlight, her thin lips broken out into a huge grin, her eyes sparkled with joy. I could fall for this woman five times over.

My hand caresses her cheek. She presses her face against my palm, giggling as she takes my hand in hers. My heart can't take this anymore. It really can't. My burning body, thudding heart, the lack of gravity, it's all because of her.

I cup her face and I kiss her. Right on the lips, pulling her body closer to me. She just melts into my arms. It doesn't stop. We're so close her heart thuds against my ribs, my hair falls in her face, chests pressed together. And after what feels like hours and hours, centuries upon centuries, it stops. For me, it wasn't long enough.

"Ithricas."

I blink.

"My real name is Ithricas. But I would still like it if you called me Erie."

I have to kiss her again before responding. "Almost every name you have is just as beautiful as you."

An awkward laugh. "Uh, thanks?"

Another kiss. "I don't want to be thanked for stating the obvious, darling."

"Oh." Her ears perk up to the sky again.

I kiss her again. And again. And again, and again, and again. It's so hard to resist. She's more addicting than the negative habits Mako fell in love with. So much joy and bliss all from touching her lips and feeling her smile against mine. But when she pulls back, I don't know what to do. Did I do something wrong? Is she leaving me again? Did I hurt her?

"Hey, I'm sorry, but can I have room to breathe before you kiss me again?" She avoids my gaze.

I screwed up. Oh no. Is she going to leave me? Please tell me she's not going to leave me. She can't.

I think she sees the panic in my eyes because she's quick to take my hands in hers. "Not that I don't like it! I love your kisses! Like, your lips are so soft and it makes me so happy but it's just... Uh..."  Her voice becomes so meek I can't hear a word.

"It's just what?" I'm squeezing her hands.

I don't why it takes her so long to answer, but it was preceded by an awkward chuckle. "I'm in heat? And I'm on some meds to help me focus and reduce the effects so I don't try to force myself onto you but they're not the greatest so... Yeah." Another laugh.

The tension from my muscles fades. "Oh. OH." My body scoots away from her. "I am so sorry! I didn't know!"

"Hey, it's fine." She pulls me back to her. "I just don't want this to be moving too fast, okay?"

Moving too fast? She doesn't know, does she? We're on more than just a time limit. Could this be considered forbidden love? I am chasing after a girl who I'll never be able to marry.

I can't help but kiss her again. "We can go as slow as you want."

The words break my heart, but I don't want to break hers first. The smile when she gave me the dagger, her reaction to the necklace, it's like I'm being challenged to see how quickly I can hurt her.

Well, at least for now the only broken heart is mine.