Lucien's breath hitched in relief. A tiny smile broke through, small and shy. He lifted his little hand so carefully, as if touching something sacred, and pressed his palm to her cheek. His hand was warm and small and trembling just slightly, as though he couldn't believe she was really there.
The moment his skin touched hers, something inside Alina lit up, a tender warmth she couldn't even begin to describe. It felt like her soul was being hugged.
She leaned into his touch instinctively, her own eyes softening. Her chest filled with a warmth she had never known, a sense of home she hadn't realized she wanted until this very second.
And with Sable curled against her other side, clutching her sleeve, everything inside her softened even more.
Alina went still when Dante suddenly announced in that deep, calm voice, "Your mom is very worried that you two won't accept her."
