Emma sat on the edge of the massive bed, arms wrapped around herself, staring blankly at the fireplace crackling across the room.
Skyler's room.
Skyler's house.
Skyler's world.
He hadn't left her side since the attack, like he was afraid she might vanish if he blinked.
And a part of her — the part she didn't want to admit existed — found comfort in it.
The door creaked open.
Skyler entered, a cut on his cheek, his shirt bloodstained — not his blood, she hoped — and something fierce burning in his eyes.
Emma tensed.
"You should be resting," he said gruffly, walking toward her.
"I don't want your pity," she snapped, standing up too quickly.
Skyler's lips twisted. "Pity? Emma, you're the strongest person I've ever met. I don't pity you. I..." He trailed off, running a hand through his messy dark hair.
For once, the King of the Underworld looked lost.
"I worry about you," he admitted finally.
Emma hugged herself tighter. "I'm not a weakness you can afford."
"You're wrong," he said, stepping closer. "You're the only thing worth protecting."
She shook her head, tears burning her throat. "You're wrong, Skyler. I'm a liability. Your enemies will use me to get to you. Tonight proved that."
"I know," he said quietly.
His honesty caught her off guard.
"And it doesn't matter," he added, voice turning raw. "I'll kill every last one of them if they even look at you again."
Emma stared at him, heart twisting painfully.
"You can't fix this with violence," she whispered.
"It's the only language my world understands," he said.
"And what about me?" Her voice broke. "I'm not your world, Skyler. I'm not built for this darkness."
He moved fast — too fast — and suddenly he was inches from her, his hands cupping her face so gently she thought she might shatter.
"You are light," he said hoarsely. "You're the first good thing to walk into my life in years."
Emma trembled under the weight of his words, his touch.
"Skyler..." she whispered, a warning, a plea.
He silenced her with a kiss.
Not rough. Not dominant.
Gentle. Reverent.
Like she was something sacred he was terrified of breaking.
Emma melted against him, fists clenching the front of his shirt, drinking in his warmth, his desperation, his madness.
Skyler pulled back just enough to rest his forehead against hers, breathing hard.
"You terrify me," he admitted against her lips.
"Good," she whispered. "Because you terrify me too."
A laugh, broken and beautiful, escaped him.
He kissed her again — harder this time, fiercer — as if he was staking a claim he couldn't take back.
Emma gave in. Just for a moment. Just for one heartbeat.
Because loving him would be suicide.
But God help her...
She was already falling.
A loud crash shattered the moment.
Skyler yanked her behind him instantly, gun drawn in the blink of an eye.
Footsteps thundered down the hallway — more of his men rushing in.
"Boss!" one shouted. "It's the Andrelli family! They're hitting the west perimeter!"
Skyler's face turned to stone.
He turned to Emma, cupping her face again, fierce and commanding.
"Stay here. No matter what. You hear me?"
Emma's heart slammed against her ribs. "Skyler—"
"I'll come back to you," he promised, voice breaking. "I swear it."
And then he was gone — a whirlwind of violence and power — leaving Emma alone, trembling, in a world that had already started to devour her.