**Paige’s POV **

For a heartbeat, I forget how to breathe. The faint glow isn’t fading. It’s sinking into him.

Parker’s skin is warm, and the symbol over his heart is unmistakable. It’s a delicate pattern of gold, two shapes intertwining as if they were always meant to fit together.

“Oh god,” I whisper, pulling back. “Parker, I didn’t mean…”

“Paige,” he says gently, catching my hand before I can snatch it away. His fingers curl around mine. “It’s ...