The first rays of dawn spilled through the heavy curtains, painting the room in soft hues of gold. Adrian stirred, the warmth of the body next to him grounding him in the moment. Alannah lay curled against him, her breathing steady, her hair cascading over the pillow like a silken waterfall.
He smiled faintly, brushing a strand of hair from her face. She looked peaceful, and for a moment, he allowed himself to forget the weight of his responsibilities.
"Staring is rude, you know," Alannah murmured without opening her eyes, a teasing lilt to her voice.
Adrian chuckled. "I wasn't staring. Just… admiring."
Her eyes fluttered open, meeting his with a soft smile. "That's even worse."
Adrian leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. "Morning."
"Morning," she replied, stretching languidly before snuggling closer. "Do you really have to leave?"
Adrian sighed, his fingers trailing absent patterns along her arm. "I do. Meridia needs me, and I can't keep running from my past."
