Chapter 191: A Taste of Peace
"You're still tense."
Dante's voice was soft, rough around the edges.
Bella stood on the balcony of the packhouse, her hands braced against the railing, her golden eyes locked on the dark forest below.
She didn't turn.
"Something isn't right."
Dante moved behind her, his heat pressing against her back, his hands resting on her waist.
"The war is over, Bella."
His breath was warm against her skin.
"You won."
Bella's chest ached.
Because he said it like it was that simple.
Like the past could just be buried, forgotten, left behind.
But she had spent too many years living in the dark to believe that peace would come so easily.
"Wars don't end just because we say they do."
Dante's grip tightened.
"No," he murmured, pressing a slow, lingering kiss against her shoulder.
"But we can try."
Bella closed her eyes.
Because for the first time in so long, she wanted to try.
She wanted this.
Wanted him.
Wanted home.
So she turned in his arms, lifted her face to his, and let herself forget the world outside for just one night.