The morning light was gray and cold when Elara slipped back into the hut.
Damon was still asleep, his dark hair spread across the pillow, his face peaceful in a way it rarely was when he was awake. She stood at the bedside, watching him, and felt the weight of everything crushing down on her.
She'd just come from Caleb. From his arms, his touch, his love. And now she was here, with Damon, the man who was trying so hard to win her back.
The guilt was a physical weight, pressing on her chest until she could barely breathe.
She undressed quietly and slid into bed beside him. He stirred, his arm automatically reaching for her, pulling her close. She let him. Let herself be held by the man she'd betrayed, over and over again.
"Elara?" His voice was sleep-rough. "You were gone."
"Couldn't
