Chapter 2

I don’t pull away. Instead, she leans into his palms, my fingers curling around his wrists, holding him there as if he’s the only thing keeping me upright.

My breath hitches, my lips parting, but the words stick in my throat for a heartbeat too long. When they finally spill out, they’re raw, broken. “I love you, Dame.” My voice cracks. “I want to be with you forever.

“I’m loyal to you, Aurora,” he says, his voice rough, “you know I am. But I’m not ...