章 29: Chapter 29: A New Life

Waking up the following morning is difficult. I squint in the mild sunlight that comes in through the window. Dominik continues to sleep next to me, chest rising and falling slowly. I smile, taking a moment to cuddle close to him before I get up for the day.

I make my way downstairs, enjoying the silence the morning has to bring. There’s only a few other patrons in the dining area, picking away at their breakfasts, still tired. A woman stands behind the bar, cleaning the top down with a wet rag. She’s tall, with wide shoulders, and thick sandy hair tied up.

I approach her, introducing myself while she eyes me carefully. “The tavern keeper last night said we would talk before you open.”

“Oh, Jeffery didn’t tell you,” she says. “Technically we don’t open until the evening. I’m just taking care of the inn side of things.”