Damon's POVSleep refused to come.The castle had finally grown quiet. The wounded rested. The dead had been carried from the battlefield. The fires beyond the walls had burned themselves out, leaving only drifting smoke beneath the moonlight.But I wasn't in the nursery anymore.I was in our chambers, lying naked beneath the sheets with Aurora curled against my side, her head resting over my heart. Her breathing was soft and even, the kind that only came when she was finally safe enough to let go. After everything that had happened, after the terror of losing Thea, after the blood and fire and fear, she had fallen asleep in my arms after we made love.The sheets were tangled around us. Her silver hair spilled across my chest. One of her hands rested lightly over my ribs, as if even in sleep she needed to know I was still here. I stared up at the ceiling, unable to close my eyes. Not because I was restless.Because I was grateful. Aurora had nearly been torn from me today. Thea had ne
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