ing heart. Moonlight bled through tall, arched windows, painting the four-poster bed in silver and

scarded in a heap. Her magic hummed beneath her skin, a restless t

ashed in her mind, its engraved initials a riddle she couldn't solve."Get i

scattered in a storm. Kael Thorne wasn't just a job. He was a fire, and she was kindling, drawn to him despit

aid like a rebellion. She looked like a woman on the edge, and she hated it. "You've faced worse," she told herself, but the lie tasted bitter. Worse than a man whose touch was death? Worse than h

ers-about Kael, the curse, and why her magic sang in his presence like a hymn she'd forgotten.Gavric led her through the manor's labyrinthine halls, the walls adorned with tapestries that seemed to shift in the torchlight-hunters chasing stags, only to become the prey. Auren's magic pul

hammered. "Sounds like it needs a hobby." But her bravado faltere

ly, like stars trapped in petals. At the center stood Kael, his coat discarded, his shirt sleeves rolled up, revealing forearms corded with muscle and scars that told stories she wasn't read

roring his. She stepped closer, her boots crunching on gravel. "Maybe you're just a lousy gardener," she said, her tone light but her eyes soft. "Ever try talking to them? Plants

e saw her lover's face again, his eyes wide with betrayal. She shook it off, stepping closer, the roses' scent dizzying. "Why am I here, Kael? You don't need a healer. You need a miracle."His gaze darkened, and he se

orne?" Her voice was sharp, but her heart raced, drawn to the pain in his eyes, the way his hands flexed as if fighting the urge to reach for her.He turned away, his shou

ody in his arms, her face blurred but familiar. Auren gasped, clutching her chest, and Kael spun, his eyes wide. "What did you see?" he demanded, stepping close, too close, his breath warm against he

between them crackled, electric. "You feel it too," he said, his voice low, urgent. "Th

, whispering of gardens and blood-red moons, of a love that burned brighter than death. She ste

gh her, sharp as a blade. She cried out, dropping to her knees, and Kael was there, his hands catching her shoulders before he could stop himself."

e, his scar stark against his skin. "What have I done?" he rasped, stumbling back, the roses crumbling to ash around him. "I didn't mean-"Auren's breath came in gasps, her body trembling but alive. Her magic settled, but it was different now, stronger, as if his touch had unlocked something. "I'm fine," she said, forcing her

nking, and he steadied her, his touch warm, not deadly."What did you see?" Kael demanded, his voice urgent, his hand lingering on hers.Auren pulled free, her heart pounding. "Trouble," she said, her voice sharp with defiance. "And I'm not running from it." But as she followed Gavric out, the