[Ann's POV]
After a final, steadying breath, I slid the door open and stepped back into the private room. My eyes immediately went to Lady Ovelia. My heart gave a small, worried lurch. She wasn't in her seat. She was sitting in Sir Ace's lap, facing him, her head nestled against his shoulder, her body completely slack in the deep embrace of sleep. Sir Ace was looking out the dark window, his profile unreadable, but the way he held her—one arm securely around her back, the other supporting her legs—was not the grip of a mere protector. It was possession. It was shelter.
"What happened to Lady Ovelia?" I asked, my voice low to avoid disturbing her, but unable to hide my concern.
"She's just sleeping," Sir Ace answered, his tone brief, still not looking at me.
