Shadow Bound Fate

Journey To The Village

**Lira's POV**

The first light of dawn barely filtered through the thick drapes covering the windows, casting a soft, muted glow across the room. The warmth against my back cocooned me in comfort, and I sighed contentedly, my eyes fluttering shut again. I nuzzled closer into the heat, savoring the stillness of the morning.

Then a strong arm tightened around my waist, pulling me flush against the firm chest behind me. That's when I felt it—something unmistakably hard pressing into my lower back.

My eyes flew open as the memories of last night came rushing back in vivid detail. My breath caught, my pulse quickening.

"Good morning, Shadow," Caius' deep morning voice rumbled in my ear, low and velvety, sending shivers down my spine. He placed a feather-light kiss just beneath my ear before burying his face into the curve of my neck, his stubble grazing my skin.

Turning my head, I dared a glance at him. His dark hair was an unruly mess, tousled from sleep, and his usually sharp eyes were softened with drowsiness. But what truly caught my attention—and stole the air from my lungs—were the tattoos.

They covered his chest, intricate swirls and sharp, angular designs that seemed to dance across his skin. The inky patterns extended down his arms and disappeared behind his back, hinting at more unseen art. My breath hitched as my eyes roamed over him. Oh Gods. He has tattoos? The thought raced through my mind before I realized it.

Caius chuckled, the sound vibrating against my neck. "Yes, he does," he murmured, his lips brushing against my skin as he trailed soft kisses up the side of my neck.

A hot blush crept over my cheeks. I sent that thought to him, I realized, embarrassed.

Rolling over to face him, I let my gaze travel over his chest and down his arms with unabashed curiosity. My fingers itched to touch him, and I gave in, tracing the intricate lines along his forearm. "Why have I never noticed these before?" I asked, my voice filled with awe.

Caius smirked, the corner of his mouth tilting upward. "Because I'm usually wearing armor," he replied, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

I raised an eyebrow at him, a teasing lilt in my tone. "Feisty this morning, are we?"

"Only because I can't stay in bed with you all day," he countered smoothly, his lips curving into a softer smile as he leaned in to press a kiss to my forehead. But then he shifted, untangling himself from me.

He swung his legs over the side of the bed, sitting up with his back to me. My eyes widened as I caught sight of more tattoos snaking down his back. The designs were darker and more shadowlike, curling and twisting as though alive, mimicking the very magic he wielded.

I couldn't stop the sharp gasp that escaped my lips.

Caius turned his head, smirking knowingly. Of course, he could feel my emotions—it was impossible to hide anything from him.

Unable to resist, I crawled across the bed, wrapping my arms around his neck from behind. Pressing my chest against his back, I let my fingers trace the edge of one of the tattoos curling over his shoulder.

"Caius," I whispered, my voice soft yet insistent. I reached for his chin, gently turning his face toward me. His smirk faded as his eyes locked onto mine, dark and full of something unspoken.

I leaned in, capturing his lips in a kiss, slow and deliberate. His body tensed for a brief moment, then relaxed into me, one of his hands reaching up to tangle in my hair as he deepened the kiss. The warmth of his mouth and the steady strength of his presence grounded me completely, making me forget about anything outside this moment.