Esme stepped away from Gabriel, but he grasped her hand almost as if he was refusing the space between them and wanted the skin to skin contact. Intertwining their fingers, Esme looked back at him and smiled gently before looking ahead, letting her hair hide the blush forming on her face. She enjoyed his warmth and was still in shock at the vampire's gentleness; this was the King well known for his ruthless behaviour.
"We were a trio of rogues, fugitives on the run from the pack. I enjoyed their company. It kept me from.. spiralling to darker places," Esme continued as they walked hand in hand along the trail in the forest.
A scene of Esme, Anastasia and Rian flashed across her mind; it was one of many memories of them; they were lying on the grass staring peacefully at the stars next to a jeep Esme hot-wired and stole.