Another Chance for the Luna Queen by Aurora Starling

Chapter 0323

Ella POV

Alexander ended up working late, which was probably for the best–it gave us both time to clear our heads. I wasn’t sure if we even needed to have a follow–up conversation after his confession, but I wanted to be prepared if it happened.

My conversation with James had helped more than I expected. He was right–Alexander was a good man, even if his past was tangled up in crime.

I smiled to myself as I pulled a tray of cookies from the over. It was a silly thought, but an accurate one.

I had heard plenty of stories about the Ice King over the years–rumors of illegal smuggling, business fraud, and rivalries with rogue gangs near the northern border. But no once had I heard a single story about him hurting someone who could be considered innocent.

Of course, I couldn’t be sure of that. The way my kidnappers had quaked with fear at just the sight of Alexander suggested he was dangerous in ways I might never fully understand.

But even if that was true, I wasn’t sure it would have made a difference to me at this point.

I loved him. And I wasn’t going anywhere.

So, I baked a tray of the same cookies I had made for him the night he met my parents, hoping that small gesture would be enough to show how grateful I was. Because I didn’t have the words to express what it meant to me that he had finally opened up about something so important.

Just as I was setting the cookies on the rack to cool, I heard the sound of the door opening. When Alexander told me he was working late, I assumed he wouldn’t be home until early morning. But it was only about an hour after his usual return time.

A moment later, he appeared in the kitchen doorway. His gaze flicked to the tray of cookies before settling on me, curiosity softening his features.

“Did I forget some special occasion?” he asked.

I shook my head, a small smile tugging at my lips. “I just felt like making something for you.”

voice sending a shiver down my spine. “They smell amazing. You weren’t waiting up for me, were

though my cheeks warmed. “But I’m glad you got home before I went to sleep.” “Why’s that?” His voice lowered slightly, almost cautious, like he wasn’t sure what I was about to say.

wanted to talk before bed,

counter, arms crossed. “What did you want to talk

excitement bubbling up with a whimper that made it difficult to focus. Of course, I was thrilled to have him back, but sometimes her need to be

brow furrowed

hand vaguely around

eyes. “It happens

1/3

curious. “How do you get anything done?”

just a little more used to it than you are, that’s all. Trust

course,” I admitted, “but I didn’t realize it

with yours. Sometimes, I

a little

part of your instincts, part of your gut–you stop needing

“All she wants is to be

any reason why you

what he was truly asking–whether I had made up my mind after his confession. Slowly,

I said. “There’s no reason we can’t

like a wave. His whole body seemed to relax, as if he’d been holding his breath all day and could finally breathe again. A pang of guilt tugged at me;

again, I remembered how I had felt when I’d laid my own secrets bare, waiting for him to decide if he could

The only thing

at my

his lips. “I don’t know how to describe it but what’s between us is more than fate.”