Lucien nodded, flashed her a smile and stepped back.

Aria took a shaky step into the warmth of the cottage. She met Lucien’s gaze as she walked in.

He didn’t move, he just stood there patiently.

Her gaze wandered across his body and her eyes stopped on his legs. She couldn’t see any blood, but she had a feeling that he was hurt.

She didn’t know why or how, she just did.

She could see the tension in his shoulders and the weight in his gaze as he watched her walk in. His eyes ...