Sterling looked over his shoulder at her check on his sleeping bride, only to discover she was awake and listening to their conversation.
He said in a soft voice, "I'm sorry, butterfly, did we disturb your sleep?"
Kylek noticed her, too: "Ah! Duchess… Good, you're awake. You should hear all this, too. The more information you have, the better armed you will be and the more effectively you can defend yourself."
Sterling pushed himself up from the wooden chair at the table and strolled over to Faye's bedside.
The soft glow of the oil lamp on the bedside table illuminated the room, casting a warm, comforting light on his face.
He gently gathered Faye into his strong, protective arms and carefully carried her back to his chair. Leaving her cocooned in the cozy blanket,
As he settled down, the chair creaked beneath their weight. Faye's head nestled against his chest, and she could feel the steady rise and fall of Sterling's breath as he held her.
