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.”

the warmth in his voice sending a shiver down my spine. “They smell amazing. You

I went to sleep.” “Why’s that?” His voice lowered slightly, almost cautious, like he wasn’t sure what I was

feeling embarrassed, I shrugged. “I just wanted to talk

“What

back of my mind, her 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

brow furrowed with obvious

vaguely around my head.

eyes. “It happens to me too.”

1/3

genuinely curious. “How do you get

laughed, the sound low and warm. “I’m just a little more used to it than

admitted, “but I didn’t realize

yours. Sometimes, I can’t even tell where I

sounds… a little

of your instincts, part of your gut–you stop

hesitated, then whispered, “All she wants is to be near

there any reason why you can’t always be

stared at him, realizing what he was truly asking–whether I had made

no reason we can’t

His whole body seemed to relax, as if he’d been holding his breath all day and

I remembered how I had felt when I’d laid my own secrets bare, waiting for him

of that mattered. The only thing that mattered

surged onto my tiptoes and kissed him. His hands were instantly at my waist, pulling me closer, deepening the kiss until everything

whispered against his lips. “I don’t know how