Chapter 44 She Slept Off

• Aurora woke to the warmth of strong arms wrapped around her. The early morning light filtered through the heavy curtains, casting a soft glow over the room. She blinked slowly, her mind hazy with sleep. For a moment, she couldn’t place where she was. Then the events of the night before came rushing back to her. She was in Damian’s chambers, and his arms were holding her tightly against him.
• She shifted slightly, trying to ease herself out of his grip, but the movement only caused him to tighten his hold. His breath was warm against the back of her neck, steady and calm. Aurora froze, her thoughts racing. How had she allowed herself to fall asleep here? She had meant to return to the hall, to show her strength and resilience in front of the guests. Instead, she had let herself be lulled into the false comfort of Damian’s presence.
• Her eyes stared at the ceiling, her thoughts twisting in knots. Why did she feel so safe here, in the arms of the man who had bought her? Damian was the reason she was in this position, and yet her body betrayed her, relaxing against him as if this were where she belonged. The conflict inside her grew with every passing second.