Tears glittered in her eyes, but she blinked them away quickly, brushing her knuckles across her cheeks like she was furious at herself for feeling.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
“For what?”
“For listening. For... trusting me.” She shifted on the bed, lying down to face me, and without a second thought, I mirrored her. We stared at each other across the few inches of space between us, the fire casting warm shadows over her face.
“You’re not as scary as I thought you were, Grumpy Bear,” she said with a faint smirk.
I snorted. “Don’t tell anyone. It’ll ruin my reputation.” I sighed and went to sit up, but she reached over and stopped me.
“No. Will you … will you stay here?” She asked. I could see the fear in those deep blue eyes.
“Here?” I asked, gesturing to the bed.
She pulled back the blankets. “It’s such a big bed. You won’t even notice I’m here.”
I watched her closely for a moment and nodded. “Ok.” I said, my voice quiet. I eased my way under the covers beside her.
The relief in her eyes was tangible. She yawned loudly. “Thank you,” she whispered again, her eyes closing.
“Get some sleep. I’ll be here.” I said.
As she drifted off, I felt her body relax and calm beside me. I reached over and stroked her hair from her face.
She was beautiful.
Gods, what have I gotten myself into.
Chapter 23
Elira
I woke slowly, caught between a dream and warmth.
Everything felt… still. Safe.
That was my first clue something was different.
The second was the unmistakableweightwrapped around me — a heavy arm slung over my waist, a steady heartbeat thudding gently against my back.
My eyes snapped open.
Slade.
I was curled against Slade.
And not just near him.Wrapped up in him. Somewhere in the night, I’d tucked myself into his chest like I belonged there.
Panic flared first — cold and sharp — before logic caught up. My breath hitched.
Then his warmth registered. The scent of ash and iron. The slow, steady rhythm of his heart against my back. Not danger. Just Slade.
Shit.
Before I could move, a voice cut through the haze.
“Well, good morning, sunshine.”
