Late afternoon cast long, heavy amber shadows across the sprawling master suite.
The torrential rain had finally ceased, leaving the heavily guarded estate enveloped in an eerie, mist-laden quiet. Seraphina emerged slowly from the adjoining marble bathroom, the warm steam drifting behind her like a pale, ghostly shroud. She had finally washed the dried, terrifying blood from her trembling skin. She was dressed in a soft, oversized cashmere sweater and dark grey tailored trousers borrowed from Alec’s expansive wardrobe. Her damp, heavy chestnut hair fell in thick waves over her delicate shoulders, the comforting scent of lavender and clean water mingling seamlessly with the familiar, intoxicating undertone of cedar in the air.
On the vast king-sized bed, Alec lay propped heavily against t
