Dual POV (Regina & Aldric)
Regina
The door clicked shut behind him with a soft, final sound that seemed to echo louder than it should.
Regina suddenly became acutely aware of everything — the quiet hum of the refrigerator, the soft tick of the wall clock, the faint rustle of leaves outside her window. And beneath it all, steady and warm, the gentle pulse of the bond between them.
It felt different now that he was here.
Stronger. Closer.
Not overwhelming — just undeniable.
Aldric stood a few feet away, giving her space, his posture relaxed but attentive. He looked larger in her apartment somehow, his presence filling the room without effort. The soft lamplight caught the silver in his eyes, making them seem almost luminous.
Regina clasped her hands together loosely, unsure what to d
