Alaric’s PoV

I woke up because she’s watching me.

Not guard duty. Not a threat at the tent flap.

Hazel.

She thinks I’m still asleep. I’m not. Haven’t been for ten minutes. I was too busy memorizing the way dawn hits her face when she thinks I can’t see.

“Staring,” I say. My voice is deep. Sleep-soft. I only let it get like that for her.

“Admiring,” she shoots back.

That’s new. That’s ours.

I open my eyes.

She’s propped on her elbow. Hair wild. Moonvine twisted. The cut on her ribs is just visible under the furs. My bandage. My hands did that. Cleaned it. Bandaged it. Kept her....