Sera's POV
As I cried into his chest, I let him hold me. I felt the pure, unyielding weight of his arms wrapped around my waist, grounding me in a way I hadn't ever felt. My father had never held me—not once. He had spent my whole life blaming me for the death of my mother, leaving me cold and unwanted long before Lucian ever put hands on me. But right now, held against Gideon's broad chest, I felt anchored.
And in that quiet, broken moment—I caved.
Hearing his dark promise, I knew deep down that he was telling the truth. Gideon wasn't lying to manipulate me. He wasn't saying it to extract my magic or claim a weapon for his frontline. The terrifying, possessive growl in his voice came from something far deeper, something primal and fierce that wanted to burn down the entire world just
