Maelis POV

That night.

For the first time in what felt like a lifetime, the night was completely silent. There were no alarms, no distant howls of war, and no heavy scent of blood hanging in the air. There was only the soft, silver glow of the moon filtering through the sheer curtains, casting a warm light over the tangled sheets of the bed.

I lay perfectly still, resting my cheek against Lucian’s bare chest. His skin was incredibly warm, the steady, rhythmic thumping of his heart a soothing lullaby beneath my ear while his fingers brushed through my hair.

We were completely bare to each other, our limbs tangled...