Lara's heart pounded, a fierce rhythm echoing like a war drum in her chest. The last time she'd felt this way, she was pulling that man out of the line of fire—only for him to later shield her from a bullet meant for her, fired by one of her father's sworn enemies. That memory burned behind her eyes, sharp and unforgettable.
"I love you," Alaric whispered, his voice low and ragged, as though the words had clawed their way up from the depths of his soul.
A soft gasp escaped Lara. Her cheeks flushed, warmth spreading over her skin as her gaze locked with his. In his eyes, she saw not a prince or a warrior, but the man who had held her life in his hands—and trusted her with his.
"I love you too," she replied, her voice barely more than a breath. It was the first time she'd ever said it aloud, the truth finally unshackled.
