Raelynn stirred awake as the morning sunlight slipping through the curtains. She squinted at her surroundings, adjusting slowly to the faint light around her. Slowly, she became aware of the dull ache in her back as she attempted to turn onto her side. She flinched a little, moving cautiously until she found a more comfortable spot.
When she opened her eyes fully, she found herself looking at a surprising sight. Elion was there, seated in the chair by the bed, his arms crossed over his chest, his head tilted slightly to one side as if he had fallen asleep in that position.
Raelynn's breath caught for a moment.
Did he really stay here all night? she wondered. She vaguely remembered him assuring her last night that he would be there if she needed him, but she had fallen asleep so quickly that she thought maybe it had been a dream. Yet here he was, just as he promised. The thought made her heart skip slightly, a feeling she wasn't sure how to place.
