ow. The guests had gone

one stood in front of the mirror.

s undershirt off. The fab

ece of shrapnel had grazed his back. It wasn't deep, but i

and a towel. He bit down on the towel a

d, bracing his hands against the

rcu

pun around, tryin

wearing a silk nightgown, holding onto the do

doing?" she

said quickly. "Ju

She moved slowly, wincing with e

his back. The angry re

d. Her fingers hovered over

tone lied. "Julian

n it. Her eyes filled with tears. "You came home lik

e, but his voice cracked. "You were

e towel from his

should be

. Do

s a General who commanded thousands of

er touch was light, reverent. She kis

nfessed softly. "When the pain started

p. He buried his face in her neck, inha

ll burn the world down b

ime, holding each other in

amed him?"

aphina said.

tested the name. "Sound

t," Seraphina arg

or interrupted th

eaning against the doorframe, holding a thick enve

heavy cream paper, embossed wi

pene

TO THE VI

rcus Stone and the Her

, tossing the invitation on

re sharp. "Julian is getting a commendatio

d an eyebrow. "

nowing smile. "Let's just say