When Lucille woke up, the sunlight had softened into early afternoon gold. Warm, golden rays spilled through the trees, casting dappled shadows on the ground.
Her eyelids fluttered open, still heavy with drowsiness. For a second, she forgot where she was, until the distant chirp of forest birds and the soft bark of dogs reminded her.
'Mm...'
Blinking, Lucille lifted her head. She had just remembered that she had taken a nap on the porch chair. Her brows furrowed when she felt something soft enveloping her.
The first thing Lucille saw was a throw blanket draped over her figure, and then Ashrik. He sat a few feet away with a book in hand.
He was leaning comfortably on the chair, with his right leg crossing over the left one. Both elbows were resting on the armrests; one hand turning the page while the other loosely held the edge of the book.
