Selene's POV
A knock startled me.
Soft. Careful.
Not Damien's.
Not Alaric's.
I wiped my tears with the back of my shaking hand, forcing my trembling voice into something steady.
"…Who is it?"
There was a pause, just a breath of silence.
Then
"Selene," a voice murmured through the door, low and rough, familiar enough to still the blood in my veins.
"It's Kael."
Everything inside me stopped.
The tears stopped instantly.
My heart did not.
I don't even remember crossing the room.
My feet just moved, dragging my whole world with them. My fingers fumbled against the cold metal of the lock, turning it with a desperate click.
The moment the door opened…
I didn't let him breathe.
I didn't even let him speak.
I threw myself into him.
Arms around his neck, face buried in his chest, trembling so violently I felt like I might fall apart if I let go. His body stiffened for only a heartbeat, then his arms wrapped around me, strong and warm and painfully familiar.
