The library was dark, lit only by the soft golden glow of a single lantern. Shadows clung to the walls, but in Zayan's arms, Nora felt warm — protected. She lay curled up on his lap, her head resting on his chest, listening to the rhythm of his heartbeat.
Neither of them spoke at first.
Zayan's hand moved slowly, stroking her back in a rhythm that made her eyelids flutter. She didn't want to sleep — not now. Not when she was finally with him again. For the first time in weeks, she felt something more than fear or confusion.
She felt wanted.
"I missed this," he said quietly, his voice deep and almost tired. "I missed you, Nora."
She looked up at him. "Then why did you let me avoid you?"
He met her gaze. "Because I wanted you to come back on your own. I didn't want to force you. But every time I saw you walk past me like I was a stranger… it made me want to burn the world."
She blinked.
His words, his tone — they weren't just possessive.
They were honest.
Zayan wasn't the kind of man who begged. But tonight, he was close to it.
"I didn't mean to hurt you," she whispered. "I just… I was scared."
"Of me?"
"No," she admitted. "Of how I feel when I'm around you."
Zayan's grip on her tightened slightly, and for a moment, his walls came down. "I'm not good with feelings, Nora. I'm selfish. I want all of you. Your voice. Your laughter. Your soul. I don't know how to love gently."
She reached up and touched his cheek. "Then don't."
His eyes burned into hers.
He kissed her again — not rushed, not rough, but deep, slow, and full of meaning. His hands caressed her thighs as she sat astride him, her romper slightly shifting with each movement. Her breath caught as she whispered against his lips, "Zayan…"
He stopped, holding her face in his hands.
"You still want me?" he asked. "Even after everything?"
She nodded. "I never stopped."
Their lips met again. This time, the kiss was fire. His fingers laced through her hair, her nails dug gently into his back. Everything around them faded. The darkness. The silence. The weight of their secrets.
For that moment, it was just them.
But it couldn't last forever.
A sudden thud outside the library door broke the silence. Nora quickly pulled away, heart racing. Zayan's expression shifted instantly — calm turned to cold.
He stood, his protective instincts kicking in.
"Stay here," he told her, grabbing his coat and sword from the side wall.
Nora moved quickly, grabbing his hand. "Be careful."
He paused, squeezed her fingers, then walked to the door.
Outside, the hallway was empty — except for a torn piece of cloth.
Dark red silk.
Nathaira's.
Zayan clenched his jaw.
"She's not done," he muttered.
Back in the library, Nora sat back down, trying to steady her heartbeat. She could still feel Zayan's warmth on her skin, his words echoing in her mind.
I don't know how to love gently.
Maybe he didn't have to.
Because maybe, just maybe… she didn't want gentle.
She wanted him.