Damian woke before the palace did.
The sky beyond the windows was still more gray than gold, the first light of morning bleeding faintly through sheer curtains drawn open the night before. Ether sconces hummed low along the walls, casting a soft, amber glow across the chamber. The air was still, heavy with quiet and sleep.
He shifted beneath the sheets with care so that his mate wouldn't wake up yet.
Gabriel remained curled against him, warm and soft, one leg slung across Damian's hips, his cheek resting at the hollow of Damian's shoulder. His breathing was slow. The curve of his mouth relaxed. The line of his spine had finally uncoiled into the bed. Peaceful.
He was tempted to take his entire day off just to stay in bed with Gabriel, to find out more about what he remembered and what he didn't, but unfortunately for him, his schedule was packed weeks in advance.
