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Layla kissed him, and everything went quiet. The protest in her head, the aching and hollowness in her chest, her doubt and anger. Sweet peace rested on her, and for the first time since she woke up from her coma, she was relaxed.

“W-why did we just do that? Why did I do that? Why didn’t you push me away?” She breathed as Alaric lifted his head. The question seemed stupid to her since she was the one that pressed his lips to hers, but she had wanted it. What was wrong with her?

“Because I wanted it. It was quite bold and surprising that you took the first move. A pleasant surprise.” Alaric chuckled, pushing a strand of hair out of her face.

“Why?”

Why had he wanted it? Why had he wanted her?

“Isn’t it obvious?”

“Isn’t what obvious?” She blinked. He was speaking parables she didn’t understand. Was that his way of saying he was sorry for what he said? But he also said he wanted her?

“Here? What do you feel?” Alaric asked, taking her hand and pressing it against his chest. His heart t