** interruption**

The morning light spilled through the wooden shutters, casting golden streaks across the room. The warmth seeped into Eliana's skin, but it wasn't what held her still. 

It was Kieran. 

His arms were wrapped around her, his body relaxed in sleep—or at least, what *looked* like sleep. She had learned by now that he was never truly unaware. Even now, with his breaths slow and steady, his grip on her remained firm, fingers splayed possessively across her lower back. 

Eliana swallowed, barely daring to move. 

Last night had changed something. 

Or maybe, *everything*. 

The thought sent heat rushing to her cheeks. She shifted slightly, just enough to see his face. 

His silver eyes were already open. Watching her. 

Her breath hitched. 

"How long have you been awake?" she whispered. 

A slow smirk tugged at his lips. "Long enough." 

Eliana's face burned. She averted her gaze, but that only made her more aware of the way his body pressed against hers, the heat radiating from his skin. She shoved at his chest. "You're insufferable." 

Kieran chuckled, catching her wrist before she could pull away. "And yet, you're still here." 

Her pulse quickened. 

She didn't have a response for that. 

His fingers traced along the delicate bones of her wrist, his touch slow and deliberate. "Are you going to pretend nothing happened?" 

Eliana hesitated, her throat tightening. "I don't know how to do this," she admitted, voice barely above a whisper. 

His grip on her tightened, but not in a way that hurt. Just enough to make her *feel* him. 

"You don't have to," he murmured. "Not alone." 

Something in his gaze made her stomach flip, an intensity that stripped her of every defense. 

Eliana's face heated, but she rolled her eyes. "You're insufferable." 

"I've been called worse." He stretched lazily, the muscles in his arms flexing as he let out a slow exhale. Then, without warning, he rolled, pinning her beneath him. 

Her breath caught, her fingers instinctively clutching at his shoulders. 

He was too close. 

Too warm. 

Too much. 

"Kieran," she started, but he silenced her with a look. 

"I meant what I said last night," he murmured, his voice low. "I don't regret anything. And I won't let you push me away." 

Eliana's heart pounded, her resolve weakening under the weight of his gaze. 

"I'm not used to this," she admitted. 

"I know." His fingers traced a slow path down her arm. "But you don't have to be." 

Her throat felt tight. "I don't know how to do this." 

Kieran's lips quirked. "Then let me teach you." 

A shiver ran down her spine, and she hated how easily he affected her. 

How easily he made her want to *believe*. 

But before she could respond, a sharp knock echoed against the wooden door. 

Eliana stiffened. 

Kieran let out a quiet curse but didn't move right away. Instead, he let his gaze linger on her for a moment longer before reluctantly rolling away. 

"Who is it?" he called, his voice still rough from sleep. 

The door creaked open slightly, and Amelia's voice filtered through. "Eliana?" 

Eliana sat up quickly, tugging the blanket around her. "Yes?" 

Amelia hesitated. " dad wants to see you ...it's ... important."

Kieran's expression darkened immediately. He sat up as well, his entire body tensing. 

Eliana exchanged a look with him before turning back to the door. "I'll be right there." 

A pause. Then, Amelia's footsteps retreated down the hall. 

Eliana exhaled slowly, running a hand through her tangled hair. 

Kieran was already moving, reaching for his clothes. "Something's wrong." 

She nodded, the warmth of their morning quickly replaced by something colder. He was right. 

Something *was* wrong. 

And whatever it was… 

It wouldn't let them stay in this moment for long.