Adrian’s POV
I hadn’t expected sleep to come easily, and it didn’t. Elena was curled beside me, her hand resting over my chest, the steady rhythm of her breathing the only thing keeping me tethered to calm. But my mind spun circles around the day ahead, public statements, media fallout, Charles’s threats, and now Nathan's interference, and even though this was going all I could think about was how small Elena’s hand felt over my heart, and how much space she’d managed to claim within it.
The next morning broke quietly, sunlight casting soft amber over the edge of the bed. Elena stirred before I did, lifting her head slightly and blinking slowly, still adjusting to the light.
“Morning,” I murmured, brushing a strand of hair from her face.
Her lips curled faintly. “You were awake the who
