I woke the next morning feeling thoroughly sore. I rolled over in bed into the familiar warmth of Phoenix and lay there for a moment trying to understand why everything felt different. The crackling sparks of the bond had settled into something softer and steadier, a deep warmth rather than electricity, and my hazy morning mind could not quite work out why he felt changed in some fundamental way.
I opened my eyes against the light coming through the curtains and winced as I adjusted my position. Why was I this sore?
Cel stirred. "Ask your mate," she said, entirely unbothered.
