Mara woke the next morning wrapped in warmth that didn’t belong to her blankets.
At first, she couldn’t place the feeling — the soft thrum beneath her skin, the steady calm in her chest, the faint glow humming under her ribs.
Then she remembered the kiss.
Her first kiss with Noah.
The way her magic had wrapped around them like light.
The way his hands had been gentle and steady.
The way her fear had unraveled like frost melting in sunlight.
She curled into herself, pressing a hand lightly to her sternum.
The warmth answered her.
Not hot.
Not volatile.
Just present.
Her magic was awake.
And calm.
And hers.
Her breath caught.
A knock sounded gently on her door.
She froze.
Not in panic —
in anticipation.
“Mara?” Noah’s voice, quiet, warm. “Can I come in?”
She scrambled ou
