The morning sun streamed through the curtains, casting a soft golden light over the room. Nova stirred, her body still heavy with exhaustion, but the warmth pressed against her back was comforting. She blinked her eyes open and found Kade watching her, his gaze filled with something tender, something safe.
"Good morning," he murmured, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face.
Nova smiled sleepily. "You're staring."
Kade smirked, leaning down to press a slow, lingering kiss to her lips. "Maybe I like watching you sleep."
She laughed softly, wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling him down for another kiss. For a moment, the rest of the world faded away—the fear, the shadow, the uncertainty. It was just them, tangled together in this moment, safe in each other's arms.
The bedro
