*Lena*
I brushed a kiss against Xander’s lips, but then pulled away. I looked down at him, taking in every line and sharp curve of his face. I ran my thumbs along his jaw, holding his face between my hands as I met his eyes.
The room around us was quiet, and the curtains to the strange underground world outside the palace were closed, shielding us inside a sanctuary of deep greens and red velvets. I did feel safe here. I felt safe for the first time in a very, very long time.
“Are you feeling better?” he asked, his voice the softest whisper. I nodded, shrugging a shoulder as I continued to look down at him. “Did you really think cutting your hair was going to be enough of a disguise to prevent people from finding out who you were?”
I glared at him, then attempted to roll off of him as a playful expression played across his face. He held me in place, arching a brow.
“I thought you’d left me,” I said sharply, swatting him.
