- Elara Voss:
Morning sunlight streamed through the thin curtains, casting golden streaks across the wooden floor.
The room smelled faintly of lavender and the lingering warmth of sleep. I blinked awake slowly, my body still heavy with drowsiness, and turned my head to the side.
Lucien lay beside me, his white hair disheveled against the pillow, his face peaceful. He looked so different like this—vulnerable, so human in a way, I couldn't tell he is a vampire by just looking at him. A soft smile tugged at my lips as I watched his steady breathing, his chest slowly bouncing up and down.
Then there was Ronan. He was already awake, sitting at the edge of the bed, running a hand through his short dark hair. His shoulders were tense, his back rigid. Even first thing in the morning, he looked broody and grumpy, as if the weight of the world hadn't left him, not even in sleep. I doubted it ever did.
"Good morning," I murmured, my voice still thick with sleep.
