AURORA MOON
The car wound through the hills, headlights slicing the early evening haze as droplets of rain began to spatter the windshield. Aurora pressed her forehead to the cool glass, watching the blur of pines, the world outside smeared and unreal.
Beside her, Kellan's fingers never left hers. His thumb traced idle circles on her knuckles, both of them clinging to the simple, physical proof that they'd survived.
When the driver finally pulled into the gravel driveway, the sight of Butterfly Villa hit her like the first breath after surfacing from deep water.
Kellan stepped out first. He opened her door and offered his hand. She took it, letting him help her to her feet. The night air was brisk, carrying the sweet scents of roses. Aurora inhaled deeply, feeling her body respond to the familiar safety of this place, the home that Kellan had built for her.
