Aria's POV
I woke to sunlight filtering through the cabin's thin curtains and Damien already awake beside me, propped on one elbow, watching me with the particular unhurried attention that still, after everything, made my breath catch.
"You're doing it again," I murmured, voice thick with sleep.
"Doing what?"
"Staring."
"I have an excellent view," he said, tracing a slow line along my bare shoulder. "I intend to keep staring for as long as you'll allow it."
I smiled, stretching languidly against the sheets, in no particular hurry to leave the warm cocoon of this stolen morning. "We should probably think about heading back soon. Elara—"
"Is perfectly content with Sophia," Damien said, though he made no move to actually rise either. "Evelyn was quite firm about the full night, if you
