It's not your fault
The soft warmth of sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a gentle glow across the bedroom.
I stirred first, my senses slowly returning as the scent of lavender clung to my skin. Aeliana was still curled against me, her head tucked beneath my chin and her fingers loosely intertwined with mine.
The rhythmic rise and fall of her chest against me was a comfort I hadn't realised I needed so badly.
I tilted my head to look at her. Her black hair was slightly dishevelled, but her face was peaceful, almost serene, as if the events of the past days had been nothing more than a fleeting nightmare.
A bruise along her jaw was a stark reminder of reality, though, and I clenched my free hand into a fist, the memory of Nathaniel's cruelty flickering through my mind.
But I wouldn't let that steal this moment from us. Not today.