Morning came too quickly for them both. As dawn rolled itself awake throughout the Saagernon, the commander immediately came alert and gently nudged Casina.

"Come on. We have to get an early start. To take advantage of the light."

Groggy from sleep, Casina turned mischievously, her eyes still closed, and snuggled closer against him. Her hand instinctively smoothed its way over his medallion, under his vest, and across his large pectoral muscle.

"No," she murmured. "I"m too comfortable."

He smiled with pleasure at this side of her, his heart warming at her childlike behavior. If only she"d lay aside her nasty attitude toward him and stay like this always.

"Casina,"...