Chapter 62: Allies

RETH

He woke at daylight—he could smell the warmth on the grass outside, though it was still pitch black in their room. He was delighted to find his arms were still curled around Elia and she was snuggled into his chest. He stroked her back and her hair to wake her.

She blinked and stretched, her breasts pressing against the wisp of a sleep shirt she wore. Reth swallowed hard, but didn't have too much trouble fighting back the shift. The tonic was working.

"Good morning," he said, his voice rough with sleep.

"Is it?" she asked, looking around. "It's still so dark."

"Give it a few seconds. The lights will come on soon." Sure enough, as he finished speaking the first of the lanterns flared to life next to the door, then one by one, the eight around the room each flared, then began to glow.

Elia's eyes went wide. "I wondered how they got lit each morning!"