woke s

d orders, or the sharp crack of a whip. Instead, she was cradled in warmth. A st

a

dy beside her, the scent of cedar and wild musk clinging to the sheets. Th

eace was

'd laughed when she cried. Her chest tightened. Kael's hand shifted. No

e still thick with sleep. "You d

," she whispere

t him g

after a beat.

hat mor

aler had left herbs and instructions. Kael moved with purpose - inspecting perimeter lines, upd

ded, curled up deep inside her like a trapped animal. He could wa

brushed against his skin, it stirred something raw and pos

asn't bli

eveni

l

sweater far too large for her. Kael sat nearby

p watching me like th

not to," h

ched, almost

I want to touch you," he said.

etween them, h

, slow, steady, and kn

asked. "The bond...

it'll be intense. You'll feel everything

eath h

not strong en

ly, and cupped her ch

're already stronger th

tly. "And if I said I wanted to try? Not all t

eft him in a

e," he murmured, "and tha