Another Chance for the Luna Queen by Aurora Starling

Chapter 0237

Ella POV

Alexander carried me up the stairs and into our room, only threshold. By then, I was breathless with laughter, my hear effects of the champagne.

tting me back on my feet after crossing the pounding in my chest from both exhilaration and the

He closed the door behind us, turning back with a smile that still carried traces of amusement. Yet now, in the softened glow of the room, I could see the exhaustion etched on his features.

"It's been a very long day," I said, a smile tugging at my lips as I looked up at him.

"A long week," he agreed, letting out a low chuckle. "And think we've certainly earned some rest. Do you need help getting out of that dress?"

I laughed, the sound bubbling up before I could stop it. "That's very forward of you."

He shrugged, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Well, you are my wife now."

I felt a blush rise to my cheeks as I shifted, trying and failing to reach the zipper at the back of my dress." Actually, I think I do need some help," Ladmitted. "This thing is cumbersome."

"That much is obvious," he teased. "I don't know how you've managed to keep it on all night. I wouldn't last a minute wearing something like that."

I giggled again, an image of Alexander in a princess-style wedding gown flickering through my mind, almost too absurd for my tipsy brain to process. He rolled his eyes at my laughter but stepped forward, closing the space between

us.

"So, a zipper, then?" His voice was softer now, and the warmth of his presence made my breath catch.

suddenly hyper-aware of how close we were and the way

aside, his fingers grazing my neck. His body pressed against mine, and my pulse

should have been in the quiet room, each inch sending a ripple

there, staring at each other in a charged silence. His eyes held something I couldn't

without a word, he turned and walked to the

a shaky breath, silently scolding myself for reacting the way I had. This was ridiculous. I shouldn't feel so unsteady about sharing a room-sharing

myself that this was just the beginning. After tonight, I'd be moving into

pooled around my ankles. I stepped out of the heavy fabric and made

of Alexander behind me clothes

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Chapter 0237

the simple act of getting ready for bed, knowing that the only way through this uncertainty was

the silence. "It all went so beautifully.

a warm smile spreading across my face. "The guests seemed absolutely

to your acting," he replied, his tone light but sincere. "I didn't know you could be so convincing, right down to the tears in

explain that my emotions in that moment had been sincere? That the tears

without risking misunderstanding-or

I

you," he said. "None of this would have worked without your sincerity. People have been telling me all night how lucky I am,

shook my head slightly. His words were

the adjoining bathroom, the sound of the sink running and the rhythmic brushing of his teeth filling the quiet that followed. I focused on finishing changing, trying to push the

door. Alexander opened it, and I held up my toothbrush in silent explanation. He stepped aside with a nod, allowing me to

out into

teeth quickly, the silence feeling more heavy now than before.

carefully so as not to