Sera's POV
Hearing his words, feeling the gentle heat of his touch—it all felt like a dream. A sweet, beautiful dream I never wanted to wake up from.
He leaned in closer, his dark eyes searching mine with that agonizing, respectful restraint that always made my breath hitch. "Can I kiss you, Sera?" he murmured against my lips.
I looked up into his eyes, my heart thumping a steady, eager rhythm against my ribs. "Yes," I whispered.
He didn't hesitate. His soft lips pressed against mine, capturing me in a kiss that was warm, deep, and intoxicating. He tasted incredible—like crisp morning air. For a few glorious seconds, the rest of the world melted away into nothingness. The horrors of my past, the threat of Lucian, the cold iron walls—all of it dissolved until it was just the two of us
