Ainsley held Eloise’s hand, his grip strong, but the anger that had consumed him was slowly fading. As his fingers interlocked with hers, a strange warmth spread through him. His rage, his fear, the desperation to save her, everything calmed as though the touch itself was grounding him. Why does this feel so… right? His mind raced, unable to process the unexpected tranquility.
For what seemed like an eternity, time stood still. Eloise coughed, water spewing from her mouth as she struggled to breathe. Each rasping breath felt like a battle, but slowly, with a strained gasp, she opened her eyes. They were swollen and irritated, her vision blurry. She could barely make out the figure in front of her, but there was something about his presence that comforted her.
Ainsley watched her with a m
