Autumn sat up and the world around her slowly came into focus.
The first thing she registered was warmth. A soft, velvety mattress beneath her, a heavy comfortable blanket over her legs. The air smelled like home, a world away from the metallic tang of blood and ozone.
She looked around. The room was dim, lit by a single lantern that cast long, dancing shadows. And there he was.
Kieran moved through the slow, honeyed air as if wading through a dream.
He held a wooden bowl, steam coiling from it in languid, spiraling tendrils that seemed to hang in the space between them. Freshly cooked. The aroma filled her senses. So did the sight of him.
His face was softened by the low light, or perhaps it was just his gaze. There was a profound, weary tenderness in his eyes as he watched her.
He sat on the edge of the bed, the mattress dipping with a gentle, prolonged sigh. The world held its breath.
"Open up, my queen."
"Huh?" Autumn could feel the heat rush up to her cheeks.
