Phoebe's POV
I woke with emotions swirling inside me—feelings I couldn't quite name or understand. My gaze drifted to Perry, who slept peacefully beside me.
Last night had been different. He'd shown me a gentleness I'd never experienced from him before, and that baffled me. I had to admit, though—I'd enjoyed it.
He'd given me his complete attention, worshipped my body like it was something precious. He hadn't been selfish, and most importantly, he hadn't criticized me for anything. It had felt... good.
But I forced myself to remember what I needed to do. I couldn't let one rare moment of tenderness erase all the terrible things he'd done to me, all the ways he'd hurt me.
This fleeting gentleness couldn't make up for his cruelty.
I closed my eyes and slipped quietly from the bed. The king didn't move, lost in what seemed like his first peaceful sleep in ages. Even if war broke out right now, he wouldn't wake up.
Perfect. This gave me the time I needed.
