ght wa

air. The rogues were either dead or unconscious, their bodies scattered like discarded t

't notice

busy star

o her chest. She was still in that thin shift, torn and stained, her h

he looked. Because o

e said quietly, knee

n at her hands.

His voice was softer this time, almost reverent. "No o

obbed. "Why

. "Because y

flin

as property. Not as a possession. The bond - it's s

chance to pull away. When his fingers

No fear. Ju

ouch me to prove any

he said. "I just want

In the

ckled low in

- borrowed from a remote safehouse in the northern terri

d been given a hot showe

was touch memory. The echo of chains. The l

ng her space, shirtless as he

s chest. The scars that mapped his body. He was

nded anything.

ly unsure what to

to leave?" he

head. "I wan

dn't

ant to be touc

ftened. "Th

Just enough to f

hy I trust you,

lowly, not to touc

she made

de her clicked. The bond pulsed b

exha

he said. "But I don'

the blanket from the bed,

. "What are

you th

your

re my

ing. Then, hesitantly, she climbed ont

ute p

ano

ae

ooke

o me. Just... hold

nd slipped in beside her. His arms

sure. N

saf

first time in years, E