{ "The strength of a family, like the strength of an army, lies in its loyalty to each other."}
Hours later, we finally made it to the bed, limbs heavy, hearts lighter, and the world's weight left at the edge of the hallway.
I did not even have time to pull back the covers before Nessa pressed me down against them, her hands braced on either side of my shoulders, her eyes dark with something that had nothing to do with duty.
"You've been too tense all day," she murmured, lips brushing the shell of my ear. "I intend to fix that."
I did not argue. By the blood moon, I could not. Not when her mouth claimed mine in the next breath, fierce and purposeful, like she was erasing every lingering worry I had not yet voiced. Her kiss was a slow burn that started in my chest and sank deep into my core. Her body moved over mine, and I let her take the lead, let her pour all that barely contained fire into every touch, every press of skin.
