Lucian’s POV
I woke first.
The room was still dim, the fire reduced to glowing embers. Elara slept curled against my side, her head on my chest, one hand loosely fisted in my tunic. Her breathing was slow and even, the fever finally broken. I stayed perfectly still, afraid even a shift of my arm would wake her.
I wanted to freeze this moment and stay like this forever.
She looked really beautiful as she slept. The morning light that slipped through the curtains painted soft gold across her cheek. Her lashes were dark against her skin, her lips slightly parted. No tension, no fear, no walls. Just Elara. Mine.
I lifted my free hand and gently tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear. My thumb brushed her temple. She stirred, a tiny sound escaping her, but she didn’t wake.
I closed my
