I wake the next morning to the gentle morning glow. I stretch and turn over to see Ashton sleeping peacefully next to me. I look over his bare chest and healing scars from the last battle, gently running my fingers over them. I see his face tense as he starts to wake up, seeing his eyes open and meeting mine, followed by a small smile.
"Good morning," he whispers, kissing me softly.
"How did you sleep?" I ask.
"Much better than I did when I was sleeping in the barn with Ella," he grins.
"Well I hope so," I laugh.
"What are we doing today?" he asks.
"Making preparations," I tell him. "If we are to have everyone here in a week, we need to get the castle ready. The people's health comes first, however, so if they are not ready to leave the infirmary, they will stay there and rest."
