Hazel’s POV
I woke up wrapped in warmth. Nicholas’s strong arms were locked tightly around me, his body pressed against my back like a protective shield. His scent…woodsy, masculine, and comforting…filled my lungs with every breath. For a moment, the horrors of yesterday felt distant. The shooting. The blood. The shadowy figures in the lightning. All of it.
“Good morning, beautiful,” he whispered, his voice still rough with sleep. He kissed the back of my neck softly, then my shoulder, sending tiny sparks across my skin.
I turned in his arms to face him. His eyes were soft, full of love that made my chest ache. “How are you feeling?”
I didn’t know how to answer that. My mind was still a storm of fear, guilt, and questions. Instead, I gave him a small smile, hoping it would be enough.
