Chapter 123

Mara

I couldn’t breathe the moment I saw him-Lucian. My body moved before my mind could catch up. I was in his arms, clinging to the warmth, the weight, the scent I thought I might never touch again.

Tiffany had muted the news earlier. The silence that followed wasn’t peace-it was dread. I didn’t think the fighting would end this quickly.

“Lucian,” I whispered, voice cracked with disbelief.

His lips brushed mine-slow, savoring-like he was trying to memorize me. I felt the tears slip down my cheeks, but I didn’t

wipe them away. They were proof that this moment was real.

“It’s over, Mara. We won,” he said gently, and I broke, melting into him. His mouth found mine again, this time deeper,