Morning light crept in through the tall windows, laying pale gold across the tangled sheets.
Eros woke slowly, the deep, steady rhythm of another's breathing beside him. Xena lay at his side, dark hair spilled over the pillow, one arm draped loosely across his chest. The other side of the bed was empty—Ngozi, Shade, and Caren were already gone.
He smiled faintly.
No doubt they had rushed off to explore the estate the moment they woke.
A bit of dried dirt still clung to his skin, a remnant of last night's little "battle" behind the house. He didn't bother with water. A single, lazy wave of soul energy rolled over his body, and the grime vanished as if it had never been there.
Eros slipped into his robes and quietly opened the door.
Waiting right outside was Butler Jimmy, standing straight despite the faint sag of exhaustion in his shoulders. In his hands was a tray bearing a steaming jug of tea and a single cup.
"Oh? Jimmy," Eros said lightly. "How did you know I was awake?"
