My phone buzzed on the vanity just then with a text from Riley:
Riley: Just checking in. Are you alive over there?
I smiled and called her instead. She picked up on the second ring.
“Hey, you,” she said warmly. “How’s Shadow’s palace tonight?”
I laughed softly. “Quiet now. We had a really nice, relaxed day. We went to the pool, had snacks, and watched a movie. It was… good.”
We chatted for a few minutes but didn’t stay on the phone long because we were both tired.
“Goodnight,” she said softly. “Love you.”
“Love you too.”
I hung up, finished drying my hair, turned off the lights in the closet, and returned to the bedroom.
But I came to a complete stop in the doorway. Kayde lay on top of the covers, one arm behind his head and the other resting on his stomach. He was completely nak
