Morning light crept through the high arched windows like a nosy intruder, slanting golden rays across polished marble and velvet curtains.
The Celestial palace was infuriatingly serene for a place that had seen attempted murder, magical smoke attacks, and a very recent naked wrestling match of emotionally confusing proportions.
Lara woke with a groan.
Her first thought?
Why are my arms numb?
Her second?
Why the hell do my wrists feel like they're still being hugged by a thousand-year-old enchantment?
And her third?
Oh gods… I'm naked.
She blinked rapidly as her surroundings came into focus. Moonlit silks. Ornate crystal sconces. A ridiculous amount of pillows.
Serisa's room.
And there, wrapped around her like a sleepy, judgmental snake, was the princess herself. Her dark brown skin shimmered under the light, moonlight-colored hair spilling over Lara's shoulder.
