Elena’s POV
The morning after facing Charles felt like waking after a storm. Everything was still, but the air still carried tension, like the sky hadn’t fully exhaled.
Adrian was already up, his side of the bed cool. I stretched slowly, trying to shake off the remnants of sleep, but my thoughts were already ahead of me. The world knew who I was now. Or at least the version I offered them.
I padded barefoot into the kitchen, led by the soft hum of a kettle. The scent of chamomile rose like a quiet promise.
“You sleep okay?” Adrian asked from the counter, dressed in jeans and a gray henley, sleeves pushed up. His eyes were softer than they’d been in days.
I nodded, wrapping my hands around the warm mug he handed me. “Strange dreams. But I’m okay.”
He leaned in, pressing a kiss to my
