I was asleep, but I felt strong arms around me, their warmth and firmness enveloping me. It was an oddly comforting sensation, making me feel safe and relaxed in a way I hadn't felt in a long time.
The steady rise and fall of the chest against my back, the soft breath tickling my ear—it was all so soothing, and I found myself melting into the embrace.
As I began to wake, fragments of the previous night filtered back into my consciousness. I was in Ciara's bed, sharing it because it was our last night together. My eyes snapped open, and I found myself nestled against Ciara, her arms wrapped securely around me.
Her grip was firm, and despite my initial panic, I couldn't help but feel how strong she was. Her muscles were taut, and the rhythmic beating of her heart against my back was almost hypnotic.
I tried to move, to extricate myself from her hold without waking her, but her arms tightened instinctively, pulling me closer. My attempts only succeeded in shifting my position so that I ended up on top of her, my face hovering inches from hers. My heart pounded in my chest, a mix of fear and something else I couldn't quite identify. Ciara was still asleep, her face peaceful and relaxed, a stark contrast to the usual smirk she wore when she was awake.
The atmosphere was thick with tension. I was acutely aware of every point of contact between us: my legs tangled with hers, my chest pressed against her firm torso, my breath mingling with hers. I could feel the heat radiating from her body, and it made my pulse race even faster. I stared at her, my mind racing. What was I doing? Why did this feel so... right?
I sighed, giving up the futile struggle. Ciara's heartbeat was a steady, calming rhythm beneath me, and despite my embarrassment and confusion, I found it strangely soothing. I rested my head against her chest, closing my eyes and letting the sound of her heartbeat lull me into a state of reluctant peace.
Three hours later, the quiet was shattered by a knock on the door. I froze, my breath catching in my throat. Ciara was still sound asleep, and I was too mortified to respond. The door creaked open, and I heard Leora's voice pierce the silence.
"Aeliana! You're an hour late for work!"
Ciara stirred beneath me, groaning softly as she woke. "Leora, what the hell? I was having the best sleep I've had in ages."
Leora's eyes widened as she took in the scene before her, and she let out a dramatic sigh. "I don't care about your sleep, Ciara. Aeliana is late, and we have work to do."
Ciara blinked a few times, her sleep-fogged brain slowly registering the situation. She looked down at me, still cradled in her arms, and a lazy smile spread across her face. "Morning, sunshine," she drawled, her voice husky with sleep.
I could feel my face burning with embarrassment. "Let me go, Ciara."
She chuckled softly but loosened her grip, allowing me to slip out of her arms and scramble off the bed. I avoided looking at her as I hurried to gather my clothes and get dressed. The atmosphere was unbearably awkward, and I couldn't shake the feeling of her eyes on me as I moved about the room.
Leora stood in the doorway, tapping her foot impatiently. "Hurry up, Aeliana. We're already behind schedule."
I nodded, slipping into my clothes as quickly as possible. As I dressed, I could feel the tension in the room rising again. Ciara's gaze was heavy on my back, and I could sense her amusement at the situation.
"Don't be so hard on her, Leora," Ciara said, her tone light and teasing. "She was just enjoying her last night with me."
Leora shot her a withering look. "This is not a joking matter, Ciara. We have responsibilities."
Ciara shrugged, a lazy smile still playing on her lips. "Relax, we'll get it all done. Aeliana just needed a bit more sleep, that's all."
I finished dressing and turned to face them, my cheeks still flushed. "I'm ready," I said, my voice steadier than I felt.
Leora gave me a curt nod. "Good. Let's go. We have a lot to catch up on."
I followed her out of the room, my mind still reeling from the morning's events. As we walked down the hallway, I couldn't help but replay the moment in my mind: waking up in Ciara's arms, feeling her warmth and strength, the strange mix of comfort and tension that had settled over me.
I tried to push the thoughts away, focusing on the day ahead. There was work to be done, and I couldn't afford to be distracted. But even as I forced myself to concentrate, I knew it wouldn't be that simple. The memory of Ciara's heartbeat, the feel of her arms around me—it lingered in my mind, refusing to be forgotten.
We arrived at the castle, and Leora immediately set me to work. The day was a blur of meetings, reports, and planning sessions. The number of rogue demons had risen alarmingly, and we had to figure out a strategy to deal with them. Leora was relentless, her focus sharp and unwavering, but I struggled to keep up.
My mind kept drifting back to the morning, to the feel of Ciara's body against mine, to the way her breath had tickled my ear. It was maddening. I couldn't afford to be distracted, not now, not when so much was at stake. But the memory of that morning kept intruding, making it hard to focus.
During our break, Leora cornered me in the courtyard, a playful glint in her eye. "So, Aeliana," she began, leaning casually against a stone pillar, "sleep well last night?"
I stiffened, avoiding her gaze. "I slept fine, thank you."
Leora smirked. "Oh really? Because when I walked in this morning, it looked like you were quite... comfortable."
Heat rushed to my face. "It was nothing. We were just... it was an accident."
"An accident, huh?" Leora's grin widened. "Funny how you ended up in her arms, looking so cozy."
I crossed my arms, trying to keep my composure. "It wasn't like that. I just—"
"Relax, Aeliana," Leora interrupted, laughing softly. "I'm just teasing you. But you have to admit, it's a bit amusing."
I scowled, trying to hide my embarrassment. "There's nothing amusing about it. It was a mistake, and it won't happen again."
Leora raised an eyebrow. "If you say so. But you might want to be careful. Ciara has a way of getting under people's skin."
I shot her a sharp look. "The break is finished."
Leora chuckled, pushing off the pillar. "Alright, alright. Let's get back to work. Just... try to keep your head in the game, okay?"
I nodded, determined to focus on the tasks ahead, even as the memory of Ciara's embrace lingered in the back of my mind.