Kaelen's POV
I positioned myself behind Lyra, studying the destruction painted across her dress. Crimson stains had hardened into dark patches against the torn fabric. The same scarlet trails marred her exposed skin underneath.
My hand moved toward the zipper.
Her entire frame went stiff.
Like touching an electric fence, every muscle in her body seized up. The rigid set of her shoulders told me everything. She was coiled tight as a spring, holding herself motionless.
"Easy," I murmured.
The word slipped out softer than I meant it to.
She made an effort to loosen up. I watched her shoulder blades shift minutely. But that wire-tight tension stayed locked in place. She couldn't force it away.
Slowly, I drew the zipper downward. Each tooth released with a quiet whisper. The material fell open, exposing ivory skin decorated with purple bruises and dried crimson. My knuckles grazed her backbone.
Her flesh felt like silk.
Impossibly soft.
