Noah’s apartment was dim except for a single warm lamp near the couch.
Soft light.
Soft shadows.
Soft breath between them.
Mara stepped inside and paused.
Her knees felt unsteady.
Her magic hummed under her skin like a sleeping creature waking slowly.
Noah closed the door behind her, gentle, careful.
Not trapping her —
just sealing them into the same quiet place.
For a few long seconds, neither spoke.
He stood by the door.
She stood near the couch.
A thin band of light divided the room.
Finally, Noah said softly:
“Tell me everything.”
Her throat tightened.
He wasn’t angry.
He wasn’t cold.
He wasn’t demanding.
He sounded…
hopeful.
Scared.
Open.
She didn’t deserve that softness.
Not after how she’d shoved him away.
But she needed to be brave now.
She needed to tell
