Chapter 65

• Chapter 65
• Morning slid into the stone house like a quiet tide. Pale light seeped through the narrow skylight and washed over uneven walls, over the small stove, over the single bed where Aurora lay on her side with the blanket tangled at her waist. Her shoulder ached dully beneath Liam’s careful bandage. Warmth pressed against her back, steady and solid. His breath brushed the nape of her neck, unhurried and sure.
• They had not slept much. They had talked in whispers until the river turned silver. They had kissed slowly, then pulled apart when the wanting grew sharp. His palm had rested over her heartbeat until it settled. When the dark clawed at her, she had turned and found his eyes, and the fear had drifted away.