The sunlight filtering through the heavy drapes was a welcome sight the next morning. As soon as I opened my eyes, the first thing I did was reach out along the golden thread of our mate bond, sending a warm, sleepy Good morning across the distance.
Demetrius answered almost instantly, his mental presence wrapping around me like a reassuring embrace. We spent a few quiet moments wishing each other a good day, his voice filled with focus as he prepared to head into his high-stakes meeting with the bickering claimants, while I braced myself to handle our own citizens' problems back at the stronghold.
Once the link closed, I slipped out of bed, determined to keep the peace just as beautifully as we had yesterday. But before I could even grab my shoes and head out, a sharp, rhythmic knock ec
