Sienna gently patted him until she felt his grip on her loosen slightly. When she shifted to sit up properly, his eyes fluttered open, confirming that she wasn’t a figment of his dream. She was actually there. Sitting upright, Alexander reached out, cupping her cheeks in disbelief.

“Is this really you, Anne?” he asked softly. But she responded by slapping his hands away, her expression stern. He chuckled, ignoring her reaction, and pulled her into a warm embrace.

“You’re running a fever,” she remarked, her voice devoid of sympathy.

“How did you even find my place?” he questioned, a mix of surprise and curiosity in his tone. He hadn't expected...