Chapter 54

They broke apart, both of them panting a little, and he gave her a look of sorrow.

“I’m so sorry, my love. I never meant for you to get hurt. If I had known what Rosamund and Dorian were capable of, I would never have allowed them in my home.”

She traced his forehead with her fingers. “It does not matter now. We are together again—all is well.”

She hugged him and he pushed his face into her neck, breathing deeply and wrapping his arms around her. He could feel her wet hair against his cheek and the softness of her fingertips as she stroked his naked back, and he marveled at the vividness of his dream.

“I don’t want to wake up,” he muttered against her throat.

She pushed him back gently and cupped his face again. “Alaric, you are not dreaming.”

He stared at her uncomprehendingly and she stroked his face.

“This is not a dream. I woke up over an hour ago.”

She winced as his hands tightened painfully around her waist. He opened his mouth a