Tahra woke with a start, her mind immediately alert as her eyes adjusted to her surroundings. The ceiling was unfamiliar, far too high and grand compared to the simple guesthouse she had been staying in. Her heart quickened, her pulse racing in her ears as she stumbled out of the bed, trying to make sense of where she was.
As her feet hit the floor, she froze. Arshe lay on the bed, his shirt unbuttoned halfway down his chest, sleeping soundly. A rush of panic gripped her, her mind jumping to conclusions before she quickly looked down at herself. Relieved, she found her clothes still intact, every button securely in place. Breathing out a shaky sigh, she collected herself just as Arshe stirred.
His eyes slowly opened, and a smile crept across his face as he saw her standing by the bed. "You're awake," he said with a yawn, his voice warm, almost too casual for the panic buzzing in her chest.
