Warm sunlight flickered through the frosted windows of the cottage bedroom, the heat of the sun warming the room better than even the hearth did.

Aria groaned lightly as she began to wake up. Her eyes fluttered open and shut as she came to. The first thing she noticed the moment she woke up was the warmth.

It wasn’t the kind of warmth that she was used to, the kind that came from the sunlight, or the fire, or even the blankets. No, this warmth was deeper, more intense, and more ...