Lucian had been holding Seraphina tightly in his arms.
She had fallen asleep only after crying until her whole body trembled, until her voice gave out, until exhaustion finally pulled her under.
He let out a weak sigh.
Now that she could cry, she really cried. Every emotion she'd muted for months flooded out all at once. His shirt was soaked through, clinging cold against his skin, but he didn't dare move her.
He just kept his arms around her and stroked her hair slowly, carefully, as if even in sleep she might break.
His gaze softened as it lingered on her sleeping face.
"I promised you…" he murmured, brushing a stray tear from her cheek with his thumb.
"Even though you're not my first love…" His breath hitched faintly.
"You will be my last."
He leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead.
For a moment, the world felt quiet.
"Lucian…"
His entire body went rigid.
He slowly lowered his gaze to her, breath caught in his chest.
