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The Morning His Heart Finally Claimed Her

Chapter 25

Adrian woke before the sun.

His first instinct—as always since returning—was to check on Camila.

And when he turned to her, the breath left his lungs in a soft, disbelieving rush.

She was holding his hand.

Not loosely.

Not accidentally.

But gently, with her fingers curled around his—

as if she had sought him out in her sleep.

Something inside Adrian shattered.

Not painfully—

but beautifully.

As though the last locked part of his heart finally crumbled.

“…Camila,” he whispered, awe mixing with a tenderness that warmed his voice.

He brought his free hand up and brushed a strand of hair from her cheek, then—unable to stop himself—leaned in and pressed the softest, most reverent kiss on her forehead.

It felt like placing a vow upon her skin.

Her lashes fluttered, and she slowly opened her eyes.

Then she smiled.

A small, breath-stealing smile that melted the morning light itself.

Adrian froze.

He had been stabbed in battle before, but nothing had ever stunned him like that one expression.

“...Good morning,” Camila whispered softly.

Adrian swallowed hard. “You… smiled at me.”

Her cheeks warmed. “Should I not?”

“No,” he breathed. “You should. Always. Only for me.”

She chuckled, then grew serious.

Her fingers tightened around his.

“Adrian,” she whispered, “thank you for staying with me. For worrying. For holding me when I needed it even though I didn’t say it out loud.”

His brows lifted in surprise.

She held his gaze, voice trembling just a little.

“I’m… grateful. Truly. And I want to try. To love you. No matter what comes.”

For a moment, Adrian forgot how to breathe.

“Camila… don’t say things like that unless you’re ready for me to never let you go again.”

“I’m ready,” she whispered.

He cupped her face, thumb brushing her cheek. “Then hear me clearly… I will love you. Entirely. Fiercely. Without holding back.”

Her lips parted—

and he closed the distance

The kiss was soft at first, warm and slow, like a sunrise spreading across the horizon.

But when she sighed against his lips—

Adrian lost control entirely.

He deepened the kiss, hand slipping to the back of her neck, angling her mouth to his as though he needed her breath to live.

Their lips moved together, unhurried but intense, each second pulling them deeper into each other’s warmth.

Camila’s fingers curled into his shirt.

Her chest pressed softly against him as she leaned closer, her heartbeat fluttering in his palms.

Adrian groaned quietly—the sound low and helpless—pulling her even closer.

His hand slid to her chest, resting above her heart.

“So soft…” he murmured against her lips, voice husky.

“Heaven help me, Camila, you feel… perfect.”

Her breath trembled.

“Adrian…”

He kissed her again—slow, deep, possessive—

ready to pull from her a sound, a moan, a whisper of his name—

The door burst open.

“LADY CAMILAAAAA!”

Cortis flew into the room like an arrow—and wedged himself between them with shocking speed.

Camila blinked. Adrian stared at the child, completely stunned, mid-lean, hand still half-raised.

Cortis wrapped his arms around Camila’s waist.

“I had a nightmare! Lady Camila, hold me!”

Adrian’s eye twitched.

Hard.

“…Cortis,” he said slowly, “why are you here?”

Cortis peeked over Camila’s shoulder and stuck his tongue out at the duke. “Because she loves me more than you.”

Adrian inhaled sharply, as though restraining the urge to fling a certain child out the nearest window.

Camila, still weak from the previous night, stroked Cortis’s hair. “It’s alright, Adrian. He’s just scared.”

Adrian muttered under his breath, “Scared of what?”

He exhaled deeply, choosing peace—

for her sake.

Only for her sake.

“Fine,” he said flatly. “He can stay. For now.”

Cortis clung tighter to Camila and glared triumphantly at Adrian.

Adrian glared back with the fury of a dethroned king.

Camila secretly hid a smile.

The duke’s possessiveness, the boy’s obsession, their ridiculous rivalry—

somehow, it all made her heart feel lighter.

Loved.

Wanted.

Protected.

And as Adrian lay back beside her, still glaring holes into Cortis’s head, she whispered inwardly:

“Maybe this life really isn't do bad