Chapter 45

• Morning light felt different now softer, more sacred as Kieran woke in Isandro’s arms. The penthouse was silent, the city below still rubbing sleep from its eyes. For a moment, the world outside ceased to exhale worry, and all that remained was the steady rhythm of Isandro’s heartbeat.
• Kieran’s fingers traced lazy lines over Isandro’s shoulder, careful of the fresh bruise from last night’s battle. He inhaled the warm, smoky scent of his lover’s skin danger and comfort intertwined. He should be planning the next brutal strike, wrapping his mind around maps and allies and betrayals. Instead, he lay here, his mind anchored in the quiet intimacy of the moment.
• Isandro stirred, eyes opening to meet Kieran’s. There was no need for words just the soft brush of a kiss, lips lingering at his temple. They stayed like that for a long moment, tethered in silence.