Angela awoke cradled in strong, muscular arms, their dark hue a comforting contrast against the soft white of the duvet. She raised her head with a sleepy smile, already knowing whose arms held her so securely. Zayden.
Nestled beneath the blankets, her bare skin against the warmth of his body, she felt at ease in her vulnerability. He, however, still had his trousers on, a testament to the strange balance they shared. "Good morning," she greeted, her smile widening as their eyes met.
"Morning, princess," he replied, his voice a soothing rumble as his hand moved to gently caress her cheek.
"You didn't leave?" she asked, her tone light but with a hint of vulnerability. She had expected him to vanish in the night, teleporting back to his own quarters. "I thought you'd be gone when I fell asleep, you know." She chuckled softly, but in truth, a shadow of paranoia had crept into her thoughts.
