LORETTA

I woke slowly.

Not in my usual way: dragged from a nightmare with my heart already racing and sweat on my skin,

This morning, my eyes peeled open gradually.

I became aware firstly of the soft breeze rustling the curtains, then of the warmth of the rising sun spilling onto my skin. The bed was warm, the room was quiet and I lay still for a moment, just staring up at the ceiling.

Gradually too, my thoughts drifted to him, like it always does.

Last night, Elion

The way his dark eyes had moved around the dinner table, calm and unhurried, observing my friends and making small talk, but...