Olivia
There was something to be said about waking up in the arms of a sexy monster.
As consciousness returned, I savored the warmth of powerful arms wrapped around me. The steady rise and fall of his chest beneath my cheek, the musky, intoxicating scent of him—it all felt so familiar.
Like I knew, whoever was holding me.
My eyelids fluttered open.
I found myself staring into emerald pools, Malik’s gaze locked onto mine, so tender—so unwavering—that for a fleeting moment, I thought I might melt into a puddle in his embrace.
He reached out, brushing a strand of hair from my face.
“You’re alive,” he whispered, his voice rough with feeling. “I thought I’d lost you again.”
Before I could respond, he pressed a soft kiss on my forehead.
Warmth bloomed beneath my skin, and for a moment, I let myself sink into the comfort of it.
But then, his words hit me.
Lost me again?
A sense of the uncanny stirred in my chest, but I didn’t want to ask. I didn’t want to ruin this moment of peace.
For once, I wanted to let go—to float away in his arms, far from the madness of demons hunting me, far from the chaos that had consumed my life.
But I forced myself to speak.
“What do you mean?” My voice was quiet, hesitant. “You never lost me before. You saved me instead. And I’m… grateful.”
A knowing smile curved his lips.
Without answering, he leaned in and kissed each of my eyelids.
I shivered at its gentleness, my breath catching.
He knew something I didn’t.
“How did you manage to hurt Balthazar?” I murmured, my eyes still closed beneath Malik’s tender ministrations. “I didn’t think anyone could hurt him.”
“I told you,” he said in a low, throaty whisper. “I told you I’d protect you, Olivia.”
Even the way he said my name sent a shiver down my spine, undoing something deep inside.
I opened my eyes, tracing his face’s angular lines and planes, memorizing how the dim light cast shadows along his strong jaw. His lips parted slightly as he exhaled.
His own eyes fluttered shut as he nuzzled into my touch as if he were the one seeking comfort from me.
I felt spellbound like we weren’t in this world anymore but somewhere else—somewhere beyond time, beyond space.
Just me and Malik.
Just this moment.
“I’m so grateful you saved us,” I whispered. “Even though you’re the darkness—even though you could kill us instantly—you protected us from Balthazar.”
A heavy, intoxicating energy crackled between us, thick as smoke.
