The room was filled with a pleasant glow as the gentle morning sun streamed through the drapes.
Alicia woke up from her quiet sleep as the first light of morning cast the earth in shades of gold. Her eyes opened slowly as they adjusted to the soft light that filled the space.
She slowly pulled her eyelashes apart, blinking against the persistent stickiness to expose eyes with storm-related traces in them.
Her beautiful, somewhat puffed skin around her eyes was a result of her tears. Bathed in the gentle early light, the chamber bore witness to the subdued aftermath of a night of release.
With a heavy sleep still hanging over her, Alicia sat up slowly. The calmness in the air was a stark contrast to the emotional upheaval of the night before.
Grasping her tangled hair with her palm, she felt the moisture on her cheeks, the spots left by the tears that had left their mark. With the soft morning light filling the room, it felt comforting.
