Valentine Residence….
Gavriel materialized in their bedroom with a now-silent Aliana in his arms. He glanced down to find her eyes squeezed shut, her body practically shrinking into his chest as if her life depended on holding onto him.
His heart bled at the sight of her fresh wounds, so he moved quietly toward the bed and lowered her gently onto the soft mattress.
Reluctantly, feeling the plush bedding beneath her, she opened her eyes and glanced around, realising they were back in their room.
"Don't move."
At his quiet instruction, her wary eyes immediately locked onto him.
"Why? Are you going to kill me if I do?" she shot back. The echo of his earlier confession, that she was nothing more than entertainment, still burned in her mind.
She didn't know if he was joking or serious, but regardless of his intent, the statement hurt her. She couldn't stop the thick lump from forming in her throat.
