"Shhh..." he rumbled, nuzzling the fragile curve where her neck met her shoulder. "It's just me, luna. Just me."

Aria shuddered out a shaky exhale, her eyes drifting shut as she allowed herself to simply feel – to exist in this realm of safety and love her destined mate had woven around her so carefully.

"I'm sorry," she rasped, swiping at the tear tracks staining her cheeks. "The nightmares, they...I can't seem to escape them, no matter how hard I try."

Ryker said nothing for a long moment, simply pulling her more fully back against the solid wall of his chest as he nosed aside the tumbled chocolate waves of...