The morning light filtering through the curtains painted delicate stripes across Elara's face. She stirred, a soft groan escaping her lips as awareness trickled back. Her eyes fluttered open, and the events of the previous night crashed over her in a wave of heat. His touch, his whispers, the earth-shattering pleasure… it was all so vivid, so… daring.
Crimson bloomed on her cheeks. She risked a glance beside her. Kaelen was still asleep, his dark hair tousled against the pillow, his strong jaw relaxed in slumber. He looked impossibly handsome, even in repose. A pang of guilt, followed by a surge of forbidden desire, twisted in her stomach.
How could she face him? How could she look him in the eye after… after everything? The memory of his gentle invasion sent shivers down her spine, a po
