Chapter 396

Valeria’s POV

Warmth.

Not the gentle warmth of sunlight or blankets.

This was deeper solid, surrounding, and alive.

It pressed against my back, my waist, my thighs… a heavy heat that made it hard to move, hard to breathe, hard to think.

My body felt strangely loose, like my muscles had melted overnight, leaving only a dull ache behind.

My mind surfaced slowly, dragging through thick fog.

Something