{"His body was fire and mine was tide, but when we came together, there was no war, only wonder. And for the first time, I wasn't just guarding something sacred, I was loved like I was sacred too."}
Dawn touched the Pearl Castle in murmurs, soft light spilling through the arched windows of my East Wing chambers, brushing against the silk curtains like a lover's caress. The ocean outside was calm, as though the sea itself dared not disturb the stillness that wrapped around us like silk.
Fenris slept beside me, and the golden light kissed the edge of his jaw, catching in the loose strands of silver-blonde hair that fell across his temple. His breath was slow, steady. One hand was draped across my chest, warm and heavy, the other tucked beneath the sheets as though guarding something precious.
I turned slowly, brushing my lips to his knuckles. He stirred with a soft sound, lids fluttering before those golden eyes blinked up at me, hazy and full of sleep.
"Good morning," I whispered.
