The following morning arrived.
Atheline woke to sunlight spilling through the enormous windows of their room, painting long golden patterns across the stone floor. For a moment, he simply remained where he was, staring at the ceiling while the events of the previous days slowly returned to him.
Then he felt Lilith shift beside him. She opened her eyes and looked at him.
"You're awake."
"Unfortunately."
She stared at him.
Atheline smiled.
"I'm joking."
"You'd better be."
Their little fox was already awake as well. She sat at the edge of the bed, staring expectantly at them as though waiting for breakfast.
Lilith glanced toward it.
"Apparently someone is hungry."
Atheline sighed.
"That creature eats more than I do."
The fox immediately turned away as if offended.
Lilith laughed.
