[VOLUME 16: THE FIRES OF GENESIS][ARC 2: THE MATRIARCH'S DOMAIN]
The morning arrived with the scent of jasmine, the trill of exotic birds, and a symphony of groans from the two most feared beings in the cosmos.
Elara Vance sat up in the center of the massive circular bed. To her left, the Sovereign of Shadows was attempting to stretch.
Pop. Crack. Snap.
"By the Abyss," Aldren hissed, clutching his lower back. He looked utterly betrayed by his own anatomy. "I believe my vertebrae have staged a coup. Why is the mattress so soft? It offers zero lumbar support. I require a slab of solid obsidian immediately."
To her right, the Emperor of the Heavens was faring no better.
Li Wusheng sat up gracefully, or at least he attempted to. Mid-rise, a sharp wince broke his flawless, aristocratic composure. He reached back, massaging his right shoulder.
