EVELARA Nothing feels real. And yet everything does… I pulled away first. I had to. If I stayed in his arms a second longer, I would say something stupid, like don’t let go or stay with me or last night meant something, didn’t it? And I couldn’t take that risk, not when there is a fat chance to be broken more than I already am. Lucien’s hand hovered at my waist like he wanted to pull me back but was forcing himself not to. That alone was terrifying. Lucien Virek never held himself back, not in any case. He had always been blunt and rude and claimed, until—now. He let me sit up fully while he remained on the bed, half-covered, hair mussed, eyes soft in a way I had never seen. It was unfair, how gentle and genuine he looked. For the first time he looked reachable, as t

