Chapter 168: Impossible

Amara stretched out luxuriously on the bed, a contented smile playing on her lips as she glanced over at Elara. They were both lazily sprawled, wrapped in fresh sheets, hair still slightly damp from their shower. It was the kind of morning Amara never thought she'd get to enjoy leisurely, without any pressing meetings or a looming sense of dread from her family's latest scheme.

Elara was lying on her back, staring up at the ceiling with a little smile that made Amara's heart do an embarrassing flip. It was funny, she thought, how she could be so calm and so incredibly out of her depth all at once.

"What are you thinking about?" Amara asked, reaching over to idly trace little patterns on Elara's arm.

Elara's smile widened, and she shrugged. "Just… this. It feels nice. Peaceful."

Amara grinned. "Peaceful until Marisol shows up. You know she's going to barge in here like the wrath of a caffeinated god the second she gets impatient."