Cassian sat in the chair beside Seraphina's bed, one hand resting against his temple, the other wrapped gently around her fingers. The room was quiet except for the occasional crackle of the fireplace and the rhythmic beeping of the machines monitoring her vitals.
Days had passed since he had moved her here, and though the doctors reassured him she was stable, the weight of waiting gnawed at him. She looked so small in the large bed, her pale skin a stark contrast against the deep emerald duvet that covered her. The bruises on her face had begun to fade, but the sight of them still burned in his memory, fueling the silent rage simmering beneath his controlled exterior.His father had done this.And Cassian would make sure he paid for it.But right now, revenge could wait. Right now, all that mattered was her.He ran his thumb along her knuckles, tracing the delicate bones beneath the skin. Her hands were always warm, always soft—but now, they felt fragile, as if the slightest pressure might break her. It was unbearable.A soft sigh escaped her lips.Cassian's entire body tensed.His head snapped up, his icy blue eyes locking onto her face, watching for any sign of movement.Another sigh. A small shift of her fingers against his.His breath caught in his throat.Then, slowly, her eyelashes fluttered.For a moment, she stayed like that—caught between sleep and wakefulness—before her eyes, hazel and unfocused, blinked open.Cassian didn't realize he was gripping her hand tighter until he felt the minute squeeze in return."Sera…" His voice was low, rough, as if he hadn't spoken in hours.She blinked again, her gaze sluggishly moving across the ceiling before landing on him. Confusion knitted her brows, her lips parting slightly as if she wanted to speak but couldn't quite form the words.He exhaled sharply, relief and something else—something far too deep to name—flooding his chest."You're safe." His grip on her hand tightened just slightly, his voice softer this time. "You're with me."Her eyes searched his face, as if trying to piece together the fragments of her memories. Then, a whisper—so faint he almost didn't hear it."Cassian…"It was the way she said his name that undid him.Not in fear. Not in pain.But in quiet trust.His breath shuddered as he let his forehead drop to their joined hands. He didn't know when the burning in his throat had started or when the ache behind his eyes had become unbearable, but he felt the warmth of a single tear slip down his cheek, landing against her skin.Cassian Vale did not cry.But here, now, in the dim glow of the candle-lit room, with the woman he had nearly lost looking at him with nothing but softness in her eyes—he did.Sera didn't speak. She just watched him, her gaze laced with exhaustion but also something else—understanding.With what little strength she had, she moved her fingers, brushing against his jaw in the faintest of touches.Cassian swallowed hard, lifting his head. His free hand reached up, cupping the side of her face as he leaned in, pressing the softest kiss to her forehead.A whisper of a smile ghosted her lips.Cassian exhaled slowly, memorizing this moment—the way she looked at him, the way he felt being here with her, the way the walls he had so carefully built around himself had crumbled without resistance.And for the first time in his life, he wasn't afraid.He wasn't afraid of needing someone.Because she was here.And he wasn't letting her go.