*Lena*

I brushed a kiss against Xander’s lips, but then pulled away. I looked down at him, taking in every line and sharp curve of his face. I ran my thumbs along his jaw, holding his face between my hands as I met his eyes.

The room around us was quiet, and the curtains to the strange underground world outside the palace were closed, shielding us inside a sanctuary of deep greens and red velvets. I did feel safe here. I felt safe for the first time in a ...