Intimate Recovery: The Bond Deepens

I sank deeper into the steaming bath, my back pressed against Silas's chest, the water lapping gently around us. The bathroom was filled with scented steam, and I couldn't remember ever feeling this relaxed. The bone-deep exhaustion from my heat episode had finally begun to fade.

"This is perfect," I murmured, taking a sip from the coffee mug Silas held for me. "I could stay here forever."

Silas chuckled, the vibration rumbling through his chest against my back. "We might turn into prunes, but I wouldn't complain."

I nibbled on a piece of toast that Rhys had brought us earlier. It was such a simple thing—toast and coffee in a bath—but after the intensity of the past day, it felt like the height of luxury.

"How are you feeling?" Silas asked, his fingers tracing lazy patterns along my arm.

"Better," I said honestly. "Like I can think straight again."

"Your heat might return," he warned gently. "This could just be a brief respite."

I twisted to look up at him. "Is that normal?"