The first thing I felt was warmth. Not just the soft heat of the morning sun spilling through the curtains, but something stronger, steadier, alive.
Varion’s arms were wrapped around me, one heavy across my waist, the other curved beneath me like he’d caged me there on purpose. His chest rose and fell against my back, his breath slow and even against my hair.
For a long moment, I kept still, my heart stumbling in my chest as the memories of last night washed over me. The lanterns, the kiss, the way he had looked at me like I was his entire world—and then the fire, the closeness, the surrender. Heat rushed to my cheeks, and I burrowed deeper into the pillow.
What if he regretted it?
What if waking in his bed had been a mistake, one he couldn’t take back?
Maybe I should just get up an
