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I looked down, finding the outline of her nose. Grief hit me like a blow. Christ I would’ve given anything to stop this. But I couldn’t. I could only see it through… right to the fucking end.

“Today you teach me how to hunt him.”

“Him?”

She knew.

A shudder.

A quake.

“I…”

“You can do it.” I gripped her head and closed my eyes. “You have to.”

She stilled for a long moment. Then gave a slow, careful nod.

“You’re stronger than you know.” I murmured. “Stronger than I’ve ever known.”

Silence filled the space between us. I hated that silence. I wanted to tear it apart. But I didn’t. I let it linger and slowly her breaths became steady once more.

Slowly sleep claimed her. But not me. I waited. Watched as my vision brightened in patches. It wasn’t enough. It wasn’t anywhere near enough. I turned my head. Blinked. Squinted, then slowly relaxed. A strand of her hair caught the light. I lowered my gaze to the faint outline of her face. My throat tightened. Hand shook as I lifted it. I traced the line of her jaw with the backs of my fingers.

There was a flutter of her eyelashes. The sight of that hit me in the chest. I could see her. I closed my eyes. It wasn’t enough… but it was her.

Warmth. Breath. Lips.

I inhaled the scent of her and opened my eyes. She kissed the corner of my mouth. Then my lower lip. Her hand settled at the back of my head. Somewhere between us, morning light caught the edge of her hair.

“You’re not worried about the others finding us?” I murmured between the innocent licks of her tongue.

The kiss ended and she rose on her elbow. There was a small pinch of her brows, like she was wrestling with that. Then she shook her head.

“I think they’ll know. Won’t they?” She murmured. “Maybe I can just pretend I slept on the sofa?”

My belly trembled. Lips curled. I wrapped my arm around her and pulled her hairs against me. “Nyssa. The others knew before we did. I’ve already had ‘the talk’ from Mrs. Reid.”

Her eyes widened. “You have?”

I closed my eyes. Smiled harder. “She told me you were the sweetest young woman she’s ever had the pleasure of knowing.”

Her breathing changed. Softer. Quieter. I didn’t need my eyes to know she’d blushed.

“And that I needed to be careful with your heart.”

“So they all… know.”

I opened my eyes, rolled onto one elbow, then pushed up until I hovered above her. “Yes, little one. They know.”

I said nothing. Letting her sit with it. Letting her believe it. The corners of her lips twitched. I caught the movement. Still, it wasn’t enough.

“So I could,” she began, her voice barely above a whisper. “Come into your room every night?”

I laughed. Harder than I expected. I lowered my mouth to her ear. “Yes, Nyssa.” My lips brushed her hair. “You most certainly can.”

Her belly let out a snarl, then harder.

I rose up. Kissed her.