Elaria’s POV
I’ve woken up before him.
The morning light leaks through the silk curtains, hazy and soft, like the world itself is holding its breath. The warmth of Alaric’s arms is still wrapped around me, his chest pressed against my back, and I swear I can feel the slow, rhythmic beat of his heart syncing with mine and It’s the safest I have felt in weeks. For longer than for a few weeks, for my whole life.
I don’t move because I don’t want to disturb this fragile moment of peace. It feels sacred, like breaking the stillness will invite reality crashing through the door and shattering everything we’ve just begun to rebuild.
Freedom.
That’s what this is, isn’t it?
The feeling pressing against my chest, so unfamiliar that it almost aches. I’m no longer locked away in Rickard’s capti
