I awoke to the golden sunlight through the window. My body was cold. My right side was exposed to the morning breeze. The space beside me on the bed was occupied by Kesar. She laid her head in the curve of my neck, still soundly asleep.

I closed my eyes again and let my mind sink back into the trailing thoughts. How strangely Kesar's soft body fit mine and comforted me with her warmth. I inhaled the lovely scent of her skin. It was different from Amarisa's, which was the smell of the sunshine and exquisite flowers. Kesar's scent was sweet wood and the clouds before the rain. I inhaled...