Evaline:
A huge part of wanted to keep reading.
The book lay open on my lap, heavy not just in weight but in aning, Lyssara’s words still echoing in my mind like a whisper from across centuries. I wanted to know what ca next... how she balanced her power with her mates, whether she ever found peace, whether she ever stopped feeling torn in half by fate and expectation.
But I didn’t turn the page.
Instead, I forced myself to close the book.
The sound it made... soft but unmistakably solid... felt louder in the quiet room than it probably was. I rested my palm over the worn leather cover for a mont, grounding myself, before lifting it slightly to place it on the bedside table.
But Oscar’s arm around my waist tightened instantly. Just a little. But enough to make freeze.
I stopped mid-movent and slowly turned my head to look at him. His eyes were closed, his breathing slow and deep. He was fast asleep. His face relaxed in a way that only happened when his guard was completely down.
A smile blood on my lips before I could stop it.
Not even ten minutes had passed since he had climbed into bed with , and he was already gone. Out cold. But considering the long, brutal day he must have spent at the Warrior Academy doing training and drills ... it made perfect sense. Oscar pushed himself harder than most, rarely admitting when he was tired.
Seeing him like this made sothing warm and tender settle in my chest.
Carefully, I shifted the book back onto my lap and gently eased his arm away from my waist. I moved slowly, giving him ti to react if he stirred, but he didn’t. He only let out a soft breath and rolled slightly onto his back, still deeply asleep.
The bedside table didn’t have nearly enough space for the massive record book, so I sighed quietly and slipped out of bed.
The floor was cool beneath my bare feet as I carried the book across the room and placed it on my study table. I positioned it carefully, making sure it was stable and out of sight, before turning back toward the bed.
Oscar lay sprawled comfortably across his side now, the blanket half-pulled up to his waist. I climbed back in beside him and settled down, facing him.
He looked... different when he slept.
The sharp edges of his personality - the intensity, the discipline, the warrior’s readiness - were all gone. What remained was softness. Vulnerability. A calm that I rarely got to see when he was awake.
I couldn’t help myself.
I reached out and gently brushed a few loose strands of his hair away from his face. He had been growing it out recently, and I had to admit... it suited him far more than I had expected. The longer length softened his features, framing his face in a way that made him look almost unfairly handso.
No wonder the girls back at the academy had started whispering.
I had noticed it over the past few weeks... the lingering looks, the barely concealed giggles, the way conversations seed to falter when he walked past. Oscar pretended not to notice, of course. Or maybe he genuinely didn’t. Either way, he remained utterly, obliviously himself.
My gaze drifted to his left ear.
The stud caught the soft glow of the bedside lamp, shining subtly. It was the one I had gifted him recently. It wasn’t a real diamond, but still expensive. I had bought it the mont I saw it, sothing about it reminded so strongly of him that I hadn’t even hesitated.
And he had worn it ever since.
My finger hovered near it, tracing the air just beside his skin before I pulled my hand back, afraid of waking him. Instead, I rested my hand over his, where it lay between us in the small space our bodies shared.
A quiet sense of contentnt washed over .
Tomorrow would be another long day. Work in the morning, responsibilities stacked endlessly one over the other. But for now, I allowed myself this mont of peace and decided to sleep.
I could wake up early and spend so ti with Lioren before heading out. My son had beco an early riser lately, his little internal clock sohow syncing with the sunrise. I smiled at the thought, already picturing his sleepy eyes and bright smile.
But before I closed my eyes, I knew I needed to do one thing.
I leaned in.
The kiss I placed at the corner of Oscar’s lips was ant to be brief... just a soft, affectionate touch before pulling away.
But I didn’t get the chance.
A hand suddenly ca up to cradle the back of my head, fingers threading into my hair as his lips crashed against mine. I startled for a heartbeat, a surprised breath catching in my throat... but he didn’t give ti to process it.
His kiss was deep, firm, utterly claiming.
"Oh-" I let out a quiet laugh against his mouth, completely caught off guard.
So much for being asleep.
I lted into him anyway.
My hands slid up around his neck as his arm wrapped around my waist, pulling closer until our bodies were pressed together. The kiss stole my breath, left dizzy and warm, my heart racing in a way that had nothing to do with surprise anymore.
He kissed like he had been waiting for it. Like he had been awake longer than he’d let on.
When he finally pulled back, we were both breathless. He hovered over , his eyes dark with warmth and need, his thumb brushing lightly against my jaw.
Then he kissed again... quick this ti, soft, almost teasing.
I exhaled a shaky breath and smiled up at him.
"How long," I asked quietly, my voice still a little unsteady, "have you been awake?"
His lips curved into a slow, knowing smile.
"From the mont you closed the book," he replied easily. "It made a sound loud enough to wake up even my ancestors."
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