I couldn’t remember the last time I’d slept so peacefully. Perhaps it was the exhaustion, the blood loss, or simply the chaos of the past few days catching up to me, but whatever the reason, I woke feeling strangely rested. The cool silk sheets draped over my bare skin were the first sensation I noticed. As I opened my eyes, a faint smile formed on my lips before I caught myself, warmth flooding my cheeks as flashes of the previous night raced through my mind.

Instinctively, I raised my ...