<—THE NIGHT AFTER ARIEL AND KYLA'S FIGHT——>
Ariel barely had time to catch her breath before she felt it.
His presence—dark, commanding, inescapable.
Then, the deep click of her door unlocking.
She turned sharply, heart hammering, but she already knew who it was.
Luciel.
He stepped inside with unhurried confidence, the heavy doors shutting behind him with a finality that sent a shiver down her spine.
The room felt smaller. Warmer. Like his presence alone had changed the air itself.
Ariel swallowed, pressing her back against the wall. "You didn't knock."
Luciel smirked. "You don't lock your doors from me, little wife."
His voice was smooth yet edged dangerously.
His eyes flicked downward, scanning her.
She was still in her thin nightgown, the fabric barely brushing against her thighs. The fight earlier had left her sore, exhausted—but her body was still too warm.
Luciel took a step forward.
Ariel tensed, but her thighs pressed together before she could stop herself.
