Eliora woke up late the next morning.
Her eyes widened in surprise when she saw that Zarek still lying beside her in the bed, with his hand wrapped around her waist.
She looked at the door. Usually the seers would have come to drag her to the morning trials, but it seemed no one came.
Zarek shifted in his sleep, pulling her a little closer. She realized he must have used his power as king to stop the seers and buy them this one stolen morning together. So she closed her eyes and drifted back to sleep.
When she woke up again, the room was brighter. She blinked and found Zarek lying awake, resting on the bedframe. He was staring down at her with a soft look in his eyes.
A blush spread across her cheeks. "How long have you been awake?" she asked, her voice thick with sleep.
Zarek traced her cheek with his thumb. "Long enough," he answered. "I liked watching you sleep. You looked peaceful."
