Golden morning sunlight streamed through the tall windows, spilling across the soft furs and blankets covering the bed, waking me gently from the deepest, most peaceful sleep I had ever known. For a moment, I lay still, gazing up at the carved ceiling, my mind still hazy with dreams and warmth, before every memory came rushing back all at once. The ceremony. The sacred bond. His confession of love. Damon.
I turned my head slowly, and my breath caught instantly. He was already awake, lying on his side, propped up by one elbow, watching me with that look I was already learning to adore—soft, adoring, as if I was the most beautiful and precious thing he had ever laid eyes on. His dark hair was slightly messy from sleep, his face relaxed and open, completely free of the anger or hardness that
