Shadows Before Dawn

She rested her head against his chest, feeling the steady rise and fall beneath her, each breath a quiet reassurance. His arms tightened around her just slightly—protective, possessive, grounding.

Kaelen’s eyes lingered on her, tracing the curve of her rosy cheek, the soft remnants of their intimacy. It was beautiful. Peaceful.

In that fragile, perfect stillness, one truth blazed brighter than a