POV: Jasmine
My breath came in short, ragged bursts. I didn't have anything left to say. I was exhausted. Drained. I felt like I had just ripped my heart out and handed it to him, only for him to stare at it like it meant nothing.
I made to walk away when he closed the distance between us. I barely had the time to react before his arms were around me, pulling me into him. A choked sound left my lips as his warmth engulfed me, his broad chest pressing against my trembling body.
"No." I whimpered, weakly trying to push against him, my fists pressing against his solid frame. "Alaric, stop."
But he didn't.
Instead, he pressed his cheek against the top of my head, one hand cradling the back of it while the other rubbing slow, soothing circles against my spine.
"Hush," he murmured. "It's going to be fine."
A sob wracked through me.
"I promise." he whispered, his breath warm against my hair. "It's going to be fine."
