C25  Intimacy between Marcus and Princess Lyra

Dust and ancient years' odor weighted down the vacant tower chamber. As Lyra stood and waited, moonlight seeped through shattered shutters and threw silver patterns on the stone floor. Her heart thudded against her ribcage as the footsteps came towards the little stairs behind.

Marcus stood in the doorway, his face serious but his eyes blazing in the faint illumination