The candles flickered, casting long shadows against the walls of the sacred circle you had created together. The scent of burning sage mingled with the cool, crisp air of the full moon night. Thorn sat cross-legged across from you, shuffling the tarot deck with an ease that betrayed years of practice. His tattoos seemed to glow in the candlelight, the sacred symbols alive with energy.

“You’re too focused on the cards,” he murmured, his voice low and teasing as he cut the deck, his eyes flickering up to meet yours. “I can feel it. You’re letting them distract you.”

You smirked, leaning forward to adjust the moonstone crystal on the altar between you. “Isn’t that the point of a tarot reading? To focus?”

Thorn leaned back on his hands, stretching out like a lazy cat basking in moonlight. His robes parted slightly, revealing more of the intricate geometric tattoo that wound up his forearm. "Oh, the cards are important, sure. But so is the reader.” His lips quirked into a grin. "And I don’t think you’ve been paying nearly enough attention to me tonight, Priestess.”

You rolled your eyes but couldn’t fight the flush creeping up your neck. “We’re in the middle of a ritual, Thorn.”

“And you’re avoiding me,” he countered, sitting upright with sudden intensity. He reached out, his fingers brushing yours as he took the crystal from your hand. His voice softened, almost reverent. “The moon’s full. The energy is potent. And here you are, looking anywhere but at me.”

You froze, caught between his teasing smile and the sincerity behind his gaze. Thorn tilted his head, watching you carefully before setting the crystal down and reaching for the tarot cards. “How about this?” he said, his tone lighter again. "One last reading. Just for us. No distractions. No moonstone. No candles.” He shuffled the deck with a deliberate flair. “Let’s see what the cards say about us.”