Morning arrived far too bright.
I woke with my head still resting on Ronan’s shoulder, warmth cocooned around me, candlelight melted down to tiny pools of wax. For a moment I forgot the world outside my room existed. I forgot the frost symbol. I forgot Christmas. I forgot the rogue calling my name.
Then someone banged on my door hard enough to rattle the hinges.
Ronan jolted upright like someone had dumped ice water down his back. I would have laughed if panic had not immediately replaced every ounce of peace I had gained last night.
"Ayla," a warrior shouted. "You need to come downstairs. Now."
Ronan was already on his feet. His entire body shifted into Beta mode in one breath. Controlled. Sharp. Ready for anything.
I pushed off the bed, still groggy, still wrapped in the ghost of l
