Ivan carried Jaya the rest of the way to his private quarters and entered the code, allowing them access. He pushed the door open and carried her over the threshold. She lifted her head and looked around.

"I feel like I could sleep for a week," she said with a yawn.

"Soon," he said, carrying her through to the washroom and setting her on her feet.

She stared up at him with wide eyes, caught somewhere between trust and wariness. Ivan reached for her neck and ...