Lorelei

The warmth was the first thing I noticed when I opened my eyes.

Not the warmth of sunlight or a fire, but the warmth of a body pressed against mine, the heat of skin and breath and heartbeat. Nikolai's arm was draped across my waist, heavy and possessive, and his face was buried in my hair, his breathing deep and even.

For a moment, I let myself stay there. Let myself pretend that the world outside this room didn't exist. Let myself forget about the corridor and the voice and the ...