Mara
I couldn’t breathe the moment I saw him—Lucian. My body moved before my mind could catch up. I was in his arms, clinging to the warmth, the weight, the scent I thought I might never touch again.
Tiffany had muted the news earlier. The silence that followed wasn’t peace—it was dread. I didn’t think the fighting would end this quickly.
“Lucian,” I whispered, voice cracked with disbelief.
His lips brushed mine—slow, savoring—like he was trying to memorize me. I felt the tears slip down my cheeks, but I didn’t wipe them away. They were proof that this moment was real.
“It’s over, Mara. We won,” he said gently, and I broke, melting into him. His mouth found mine again, this time deeper, hungrier. I tasted the fear, the relief, the raw edge of survival. I didn’t want to let go.
A kno
