Chapter 57 Smile

• Elara
• Alaric’s arm tightened instinctively around my waist, his hand pressing firm against the small of my back. I stared up at him, my breath caught somewhere between my lungs and throat. I couldn’t tell if the thudding pulse in my ears was his or mine, the bond flaring unexpectedly between us after weeks of silence.
• We were too close—closer than we had been in what felt like ages. His body was flush against mine, broad and warm, and yet all I could think about was the blank, distant look in his eyes just moments ago.