Valerie groaned softly as consciousness returned to her. She knew it was dawn, yet the lack of blinding light striking her face made her hesitate in confusion. Slowly, she opened her eyes—and to her utter shock, Raelyth lay right before her, sleeping peacefully upon his side. Her breath lodged painfully in her throat as she stared at the beautiful man beside her, taking in every familiar and unfamiliar detail alike.
Had he come to her chambers last night, after one of his fits of madness?
Did he even suffer his nightly madness at all? She wondered this silently, remembering how unnervingly quiet the night had been, too still, too calm.
Shaking away her worrisome thoughts, Valerie refocused her attention upon Raelyth. She noticed strands of golden hair peeking out from beneath his wig. Now she knew—his silvery-black hair was not his true color. The golden hue was. Still, she resolved not to mention it until he chose to speak of it himself.
