***Bane's POV***
The room was quiet now, save for the slowing rhythm of their breaths. Lizzy’s head rested against his chest, her fingers tracing lazy circles over the fresh mark on his skin. Every touch hummed with the bond, steady and grounding, and for the first time in weeks, Bane felt… peace.
“You’re quiet,” Lizzy murmured, her voice warm, drowsy, but laced with curiosity. “I thought binding mates were supposed to be glowing with joy.”
Bane chuckled softly, pressing a kiss to her hair. “I am glowing. You just wore me out.”
She smirked against his chest, then grew serious, lifting her chin to look at him. Her eyes were sharp, cutting through his deflections like they always did. “Something’s still eating at you. I can feel it.”
The bond made lying impossible. She wasn’t just readi
