Lirien's POV
The shower stops running in the bathroom, and I hear Vael moving around the bedroom. I step out, steam curling around my legs, and grab a towel. My body aches everywhere, a dull reminder of the last few days, but seeing Vael makes the pain fade a little. He is already pulling back the covers, patting the empty space beside him.
I climb into bed, the sheets cool against my warm skin. Vael turns off the lamp, plunging the room into a soft, gray twilight. He wraps his arms around me immediately, pulling my back against his chest. His chin rests on top of my head, and his legs tangle with mine. I feel safe here, surrounded by his scent and his warmth. I close my eyes, listening to the steady rhythm of his heart beating against my spine. Sleep comes faster than I expect, pulling me down into a dark, dreamless quiet.
When I wake up, sunlight is flooding the room again. Vael is already up, watching me with a small smile.
