And that’s when I see it. The exact moment it hits.
Recognition. Realization.
The way she finally sees me—not the charm, not the façade.
Just thethingbeneath.
Ezra
I stay kneeling, the silence between us louder than anything Renato said.
“Aurora, I won’t touch you again until you ask me to.”
My voice is rough, desperate,not me. But maybe that’s a good thing.
“I need you to look at me. I need to know you’re okay.”
The little goddess turns to face me. Tears drip down her beautiful features, and a small, sad smile plays on her lips. My heart breaks a little, knowing that I was the one who did this to her.
Although, to be fair, Renato helped.
“I-I was going to kill him. I wanted to kill him. He was going to hurt you … hurt me. That’s not who I am,” Aurora chokes out, covering her face with her hands. “But it’s who I’m becoming, isn’t it? I can feel it … something monstrous waking up inside ofme.” Her tears fall faster, and I realize she’s not scared of me but scared of herself.
“Are you afraid of me now, Ezra? I understand if this is too much for you. I won’t blame you if you leave,” she says through her hiccupping sobs.
I reach for her, then stop, fingers curling into fists.
I promised—not a finger, not a fucking whisper of a touch—unless she asks.
But stars damn me, I need her to ask.
“Tell me, little lupine.” My voice is hoarse, thick with something I won’t name. “Tell me what you need.”
“Hold me, please. I need you,” she whispers.
My arms wrap around her, and I nuzzle into her neck, breathing in her warm honeysuckle scent.
Leaning back, I cup her chin, tilting her face toward mine.
“I’m not scared of you, Aurora.”
Her eyes search mine, looking for a lie she won’t find.
“I need you to understand that.”
I brush a soft kiss against her lips. Then another at the corner of her mouth. And then one more.
My lips linger, a silent promise against her skin.
“I could sense your magic again. And even though you used it to attack Renato, at its core, it’s good and kind and smells like … kettle corn, actually.”
When I chuckle, she cracks a lopsided smile that seems to slip out before she can stop it.
I’m getting through to her.
“Really?” she asks, her voice so soft I almost miss it.
“Really, little queen.” I press my forehead to hers, holding her close. “I would never lie to you. Not even to spare your feelings. Your magic is begging to be released, Aurora. Until you claim it, it will claim you in moments like this.”
