“You should go back to sleep,” he said, his voice low, almost a plea. “Before I lose the will to leave you alone.” I hesitated for only a heartbeat. “Then don’t leave.” The words hung in the air between us, daring, vulnerable. Archer sank to his knees beside the bed, as though the weight of everything tethering him to this moment was too much to bear. His voice was barely above a whisper when he said, “You are my only warmth, Severyn Blanche. The only warmth I desire.” His breath shuddered as he
