I woke up with my stomach already paining me. Not the dramatic kind of sickness, just this low, constant roll that made my mouth water in the wrong way. I lay still for a second, hoping it would pass if I didn’t move. It didn’t. I pressed a hand to my belly and breathed slowly through my nose, but it didn't go away.
Damien felt me tense. His arm was already around my waist, he tightened it slightly, voice thick with sleep against my neck.
“You okay?”
I swallowed. “Yeah. Just… my stomach's weird.”
He shifted behind me, propped up on one elbow so he could see my face. His hair was a wreck, eyes still heavy, but the concern was instant.
“Weird how?”
“Nauseous. Like… I might throw up, but nothing’s happening.” I tried to laugh it off. “Probably that spicy thing we ate last night.”
He di
