Chapter 88 Lust

Julian POV

I inhaled deeply before putting my hand in hers. "Something as timeless as the desert itself is what I wish to offer you. A bit of myself and a piece of this desert."

I reached behind me and picked up a tiny wooden box, which I opened slowly to show a necklace. An old desert shell fossil was used to create the pendant. Despite the deterioration of time, its lines and textures remained vibrant.

As such, it was etched with the history of the land beneath our feet. Eight little red gemstones, the same color as Cecilia's hair, adorned the fossil.

Her eyes fixed on the necklace as she held her breath in wonderment. Her hand shook a little as she extended it to touch it. "It's beautiful," she said softly in a whisper. "Where did you... How..."

"I found this shell fossil in the desert when I was scouting in Ashfall. I had a craftsman make the necklace for me then. I've been waiting for the right moment to give it to you."

I gently took the necklace from the box and carefully