Selene's POV
My heart jumped, but I kept my eyes shut. I pretended to be asleep. If I looked at him now, I didn't know what I would say. So I just breathed slowly and steadily, like I was dreaming. He let out a long sigh. His hand brushed my hair back, gentle in a way I never thought he could be. Another sigh came, heavier this time, like he was tired of carrying something too big.
Then he moved. His strong arms slid under me, lifting me as if I weighed nothing. I smelled him — iron, smoke, and something dark — wrapping all around me. He walked across the room and set me down on the couch in his study. The leather felt cold against my skin. My blouse was half open, my skirt still messy from before, but he didn't fix it. He just stood there, looking at me.
Another sigh. Then his fingers brushed my hair again, soft and slow. "Sleep," he whispered, like it was a prayer.
I heard his steps fade. The door opened, then closed. Silence returned. Only then did I open my eyes.
