Richard let out a groan as he woke up.
His head throbbed faintly, and the dim light filtering through the curtains did little to ease the dull ache behind his eyes. He shifted, the unfamiliar weight of the blanket and the faint scent of lavender on the pillow grounding him in the present moment. Memories of the previous night began to surface, causing a small, wry smile to tug at the corners of his lips.
When he turned over, he found himself face to face with Nadia, her hair tousled and her features softened by sleep. The sight stirred a mix of emotions—amusement, fondness, and a flicker of uncertainty he couldn't quite place.
"Hello, pretty girl," he murmured, brushing a gentle caress across her cheek.
Nadia stirred slightly, her lips curving into a faint smile before she mumbled something unintelligible and nestled closer to him.
