Sathona's body imposed itself over Rowena's with a lover's softness, snagging her to herself, causing her back to arch gloriously, making her black hair falling heavily like an ebony waterfall, for the rigor of that face made hers draw back, as if she were drinking from that mouth. The duchess's lips were as silky as her voice, and her tongue was as scathing and unerring as her words; and thus, this exchange was as intimate as the talks they had shared before, only this time, the language was completely carnal. As Sathona receded from the kiss, she seemed to take the duchess's breath with her for a moment, and gave it back with that passionate and cunning last confession, which drew a mischievous smile from Rowena's red and gibbous lips. She tilted her face slightly, as if to allow those bony hands to feel the contrasting warmth and softness her exposed neck and cleavage. She knew she had (unintendedly) won, and she was savoring her higher ground.—