Seraphine sat by the edge of the bed, fingers gently brushing through his dark hair as his head rested on her lap — peaceful, almost boyish in sleep.
She studied the quiet fall of his lashes, the small crease between his brows. He looked human like this. Not a king. Not a monster. Just Valen.
Her hand stilled in his hair. The candlelight bathed them in golden warmth, softening the sharp edges of their past, if only for a fleeting moment.
She only whispered,
"When did you first see me?"
He stirred softly at the sound of her voice — eyes blinking open. It took a second for the haze to clear. Then, his gaze met hers, slow and sure, like it always did.
A pause.
Then a low, raspy murmur,
"When I swore to end your bloodline."
Her breath caught.
His fingers ghosted over her wrist.
"I c
