ASTRIDE POV

The night went extremely slow. I stirred gently on the bed. My eyes pulled open and I found Penelope’s blue eyes on me.

She was lying next to me on the small bed, curled in her previous position, watching me tightly. My amber irises held her stare. It didn't hold rage or annoyance. Whatever it was in those precious eyes of hers was soft and tender. She was slowly becoming a master at masking her emotions.

I couldn't pull away from her stare. I just relished the pleasure of having her next to me. This was the first time we'd shared the same room and existed calmly in...