Elaria’s POV
Everything else fadee. . . the past, the pain, even the blood that had barely dried... melted away as Alaric held me in his arms. In our bed, away from the storm of last night, I found a moment that felt like peace.
His mouth crashed against mine again, deeper this time.
Hungrier.
There was no hesitation when his tongue swept past my lips, claiming, devouring, and taking everything he wanted. His hands followed, bold and certain, skimming my body with the kind of reverence that felt like worship, and the kind of hunger that burned.
In this moment, he did own me.
His palms moved down my curves, slow and possessive, like he was relearning me with every touch, branding me with his heat. What began as a tender kiss spiraled, fast, into something darker, something raw and des
