Dawn slowly seeped in through the cracks in the curtains. The dark room was bathed in a silver haze, but the world still held its breath in silence. Time moved differently here. As if Dareth's room-his dark, soft sanctuary-had shut out all the noise of the outside world. There were only breaths, and two bodies lying side by side. Silence. Warmth. Waking up next to someone.
Dareth was awake. Had been for a while. He didn't move his head, not wanting to disturb the moment. He simply watched Elara's face as she rested peacefully beside him. Her expression was calm, but a slight flutter beneath her lashes revealed she was beginning to stir.
Her head rested on his chest, her hair spilling over his shoulder, one arm draped halfway across his side, as if even in sleep she wanted to be close. Th
