This morning, Cristiano gently shook Portia awake.
"Portia?" he whispered again, brushing a strand of hair from her face.
She stirred slowly, her eyes fluttering open. He was kneeling beside her bed, a soft smile tugging at his lips and a spark of excitement in his voice. "You have to come with me."
She blinked, still groggy. They were staying in the guest room of the temple for the night. The room smelled faintly of incense and wildflowers. The sky outside was still cloaked in darkness, but there was a softness in the air that told her dawn was just around the corner.
"What happened?" she asked, her voice hoarse from sleep.
"Just come," he said, offering her his hand like a child holding in a secret too big to keep.
Still barefoot and wrapped in her night robe, she followed him outside. The stone floor was cool under her feet, and the morning breeze kissed her skin. Cristiano's fingers held hers tightly as they stepped out into the open space near the pavilion.
