Bab 43: Oh Father Forgive Me As I Have Sinned

"Your Highness..." came the soft voice, tinged with a shyness that caught Mikhailis completely off guard. "...kiss me."

His eyes flew open, the lingering sleepiness instantly evaporating. He blinked, staring down in disbelief at the head of black hair resting beside him.

Not silver. Not Elowen.

Black.

His heart skipped a beat, and he swallowed hard, his gaze slowly drifting up to meet her eyes.

Lira's dark eyes were looking up at him, wide and glistening with something he couldn't quite read. Her cheeks were flushed, her lips slightly parted, and she didn't pull away. If anything, she seemed to lean in closer, her expression filled with vulnerability.

Mikhailis's mouth went dry, his mind racing as he tried to make sense of the situation. How was Lira here? And—more importantly—why was she in his bed?

Rodion's voice, as always, chose the most inopportune time to chime in.

<I believe this qualifies as an unexpected development, Mikhailis.>