NOELLE
I'm curled up on Azren's lap in the sitting room, my bare legs tucked under one of his thighs, my head resting against his chest.
His heartbeat is steady under my ear. He slowly strokes my hair, his fingertips grazing my scalp in a rhythm that makes my eyelids feel heavy.
My own fingers toy absently with his, tracing the ridges of his knuckles and slipping between his longer ones. Every time I squeeze, he squeezes back without thinking.
Across from us, Sabrina sits on the edge of the opposite couch. Her back is straight, her hands folded in her lap. The red mark on her cheek from my slap has already faded completely. Her green eyes are softer now, but I still watch her like she might grow fangs again any second.
Finally, she clears her throat.
"It seems..." she begins carefull
