When Alina finally stepped out of the bathroom, dressed in her nightwear with her hair loosely falling over her shoulders, she paused at the doorway for a moment. Dante and the boys were still awake, the dim light casting soft shadows over the bed. Lucien was half-lying against his father, his eyes bright despite the late hour, while Sable sat closer to the edge, absently playing with the blanket as if waiting for her. The sight made her chest feel warm and strangely fluttery all at once.
She walked over quietly and stopped on the other side of the bed, beside Sable. Only then did she truly realize how tall the bed was. She hesitated, lifted one foot slightly as if testing it, then froze. The mattress was far higher than she had expected, and for a split second she stood there awkwardly, unsure how to climb up without looking ridiculous. Heat rushed to her cheeks, and she bit her lip, suddenly very aware of three pairs of eyes on her.
