Something precious.
I didn’t know when that happened.
Only that it made my chest ache.
“I’m sorry for what you endured, Luna,” he whispered against my mouth, forehead pressing gently to mine. “And I promise you—never again. You never have to be afraid again.”
My breath caught.
Because I wanted to believe him.
Gods, I wanted to.
But fear had lived inside me for so long it felt stitched into my bones.
Fear of failing.
Fear of disappointing people.
Fear of wanting too much from someone who would eventually realize I wasn’t enough.
And right then?
Right then I was terrified for entirely different reasons.
Because I was losing myself in him frighteningly fast.
What kind of hold could a no-magic Witch like me possibly have over someone like Sten?
The self-doubt rose automatically.
Ugly.
Familiar.
I hated it.
Hated that even while wrapped in his arms I still expected rejection, eventually.
I wanted to be stronger than that.
Wanted to be confident and fearless, and untouchable.
But I wasn’t.
I was just me.
Too emotional. Too soft. Too hopeful for my own good.
But maybe—maybe for once that could actually be enough.
Sten brushed one final closed-mouth kiss over my lips before easing back slightly.
That was when I noticed his tail still wrapped tightly around my waist.
Holy.
Fuck.
