|| Lilac’s POV ||

The first light of dawn crept through the curtains, painting the room in pale gold. I stood frozen in the doorway, my fingers gripping the frame until my knuckles turned white. Behind me, Alaric's presence was a storm barely contained, his disapproval radiated through the bond we hadn't yet named, his jaw clenched tight enough to crack stone.

"It's going to be okay," I whispered, more to myself than to him.

Alaric's hand shot out, circling my wrist. His ...