Evaline:
When I opened my eyes, the world felt quieter... softer somehow... as if the chaos of the night had been nothing more than a bad dream. But then the faint ache in my limbs reminded me it hadn't been.
My surroundings were dimly lit, the warm glow of a single lamp spreading across a familiar room. Kieran's scent surrounded me, grounding me instantly. I blinked once, twice, trying to adjust to the faint light, and that's when I realized…
We weren't in the living room anymore.
The plush couch, the scattered herbal supplies, Madam Elira's murmured instructions... all of it was gone. In their place was the large bed in Kieran's bedroom, sheets soft and smelling faintly of pinewood. And I was still in his arms.
His embrace was as protective as it was gentle, one arm wrapped securely around my waist, the other draped over my hip. His heartbeat thudded steadily against my back - strong and rhythmic - a sound that could lull anyone into calm.
