CHAPTER 197
The silence of the clearing was different now. The oppressive weight of the suffocating woods hadn't vanished, but it had retreated to the shadows, leaving a pocket of stillness around the two figures huddled on the silver-grey dirt.
They stayed like that for a long time—minutes, or perhaps an eternity—pressed to one another as the evening sun finally surrendered to the bruising dark of night.
The heat in Isabella's blood had settled. Lucian was the first to shift, though he didn't pull away completely.
He eased his grip just enough to look at her, his hands still resting firmly on her waist, keeping her tethered to the reality of his presence.
"Feeling better?" he asked softly, his gravelly tone lacking any of the sharp edges he had used to push her earlier.
