A soft, unconscious sigh escaped me as I curled closer to the warmth beside me.

My arms wrapped around Gabriel’s neck without thinking, seeking comfort. His breath hitched, turning heavy with something unreadable.

"Elisabeth," his voice dropped, rough and low. "Don't move."

I blinked blearily, confused. “I’m not moving.”

I just needed the pain to stop. And somehow, the closer I was to Gabriel, the better I felt. It was instinct—a desperate, primal need for warmth and safety.

My thoughts blurred. The exhaustion from last night’s ritual was pulling me under again.

I woke to gentle sunlight streaming through the windows, bathing the room in a warm golden glow.

And...