I lean into Asher, feeling the warmth of his arms as they pull me closer. His hold is secure, and for a moment, it’s like nothing else exists but the steady rhythm of our breaths and the soft night air around us.
“Thank you for saving me earlier, Lenora,” he finally breathes out, breaking the stillness between us. His voice is low, laced with emotion. He lifts his free hand, gazing at the bracelet I had gifted him. The way his fingers curl around it, almost protectively, tugs at my heart. I feel a tear land softly on the top of my head.
“If you hadn’t saved me, I don’t know what could have happened.” His voice wavers slightly. “It felt like I was locked inside my mind, trapped. I could see and hear everything around me, but my body, my voice—they weren’t mine. I had no control.”
My hear
