I woke with his arm around me.
For a moment, I panicked—heart racing, guilt crashing in.
Then I felt his breath against my neck. Warm. Steady.Alive.
Sunlight filtered through the curtains, touching skin that still remembered his hands. I turned slowly, afraid the moment would shatter if I moved too fast.
Cassian smiled sleepily. "You're staring."
"I'm memorizing," I said before I could stop myself.
He brushed his thumb along my jaw. "No regrets?"
I hesitated.
Then I shook my head. "If this is the price," I said quietly, "I would pay it again."
His smile faded slightly, but he kissed me anyway—gentle, lingering, full of things neither of us said.
We stayed in bed far longer than we should have.
And for a few precious hours, the curse was silent.