Evander
The room was way too quiet. I was laying on top of the covers, staring at the dark ceiling, while Ember's soft breathing filled the space between us. Having her this close was like sitting by a fire after being out in the snow for years. My wolf was quiet. The silver fire in my brain had cooled down to a dull hum.
I didn't think I'd sleep at all, but I must have drifted off.
"She's so pretty." I whispered to myself, while I slowly brush her hair backwards with my hand.
When the first bit of morning light hit the floor, I felt Ember move. She was still fast asleep, but she rolled over in her sleep, her hand landing right on my chest. I froze. My heart hammered against her palm like a trapped bird. She didn't wake up, she just sighed and tucked her chin into her shoulder.
I stayed perfectly still. I didn't want to break this. For a few minutes, I wasn't the King of the Kingdom of Umbra and she wasn't some kitchen girl from the Ashlands. We were just two people who finally felt safe.
But then, a loud, heavy thud came from the sitting room.
"Rise and shine, cousin! The sun is up and the vipers are hungry!"
Kaelen. Of course.
Ember bolted upright, her eyes snapping open. She looked at me, then at her hand still resting on my chest, and turned redder than a sunset. She scrambled back to her side of the bed, tripping over the blankets.
"I'm sorry! I didn't mean to—"
"It's fine," I said, my voice gravelly from sleep. I stood up and smoothed out my tunic, trying to ignore the way my skin felt cold the second she let go. "Stay here."
I walked into the sitting room and found Kaelen leaning against my table, tossing a golden coin into the air and catching it. He looked like he'd slept for a week, even though he'd been on guard all night.
"You're here," I grumbled.
"And you look like you actually got some rest," Kaelen grinned. He looked past me toward the bedroom door as Ember peaked out. "Morning, little bird! I brought the good bread. The kind with the honey that makes your fingers sticky."
Ember's eyes lit up. She walked out, looking much more relaxed than she ever did with me. "Honey bread? I haven't had that since I was a kid."
"Well, pull up a chair," Kaelen said, pulling out a stool for her. He didn't even look at me. He was too busy showing her how to rip the bread so the honey didn't drip. "So, did the big bad wolf snore all night? I could hear something rattling the door from out there."