A Court of Stars and Memories

54. A Morning in Company

    Mitsi woke slowly, as if pulling herself from the depths of a dream she couldn't remember. She couldn't even recall when she had fallen asleep. A sigh ghosted from her lips and her next breath carried the familiar scent which had surrounded her all night: juniper, clay, and seafoam.

    Mitsi cracked her eyes open with a yawn and blinked away the lingering grit of drowsiness. Then, she paused, spying her hand curled near her face. Curled atop...

    Mitsi didn't move, but a quick breath escaped her. Had she fallen asleep before Lysander? When had they wound up like this? His solid chest rose and fell beneath her cheek and one of his hands shifted under hers.

    His other arm was tucked snuggly around her waist, his palm pressed to her thigh. She was nestled between his legs and he'd covered both of their bodies with one of his wings. The other was sprawled over the edge of the sofa and across the floor towards the fireplace.

    Mitsi's heart beat faster, until she was certain there was no way Lysander didn't feel it struggling to break free of her chest, but still he didn't wake. Her throat bobbed despite the sudden dryness of her mouth. This was a very dangerous situation to be in, given what she'd just admitted to herself last night.

    And yet...she'd  never felt so safe and content. She relaxed slightly and Mitsi closed her eyes, allowing herself to feel the warmth of Lysander's body against her own. Every lean angle of him melding with every soft curve of her. Mitsi opened her eyes again as Lysander stirred, a faint sound escaping his lips. His arm tightened around her, though he remained asleep.

    Mitsi's breath caught. Yes, this is a very dangerous situation, she thought again as her gaze lingered on his lips.

    Mother above, she wanted to kiss him. Really kiss him, not just his forehead or his cheek. Flustered warmth settled in the pit of her stomach. She had to move before that temptation became too much to ignore. Mitsi attempted to sit up, but Lysander's hold remained firm. She bit her lip hesitantly and tried to wiggle out from under his arm.

    "You should really stop doing that," Lysander mumbled, his voice low and rasping.

    Mitsi gaped at him with wide eyes. He had yet to open his own. "How long have you been awake?"

    "Not long." A lazy smile crept onto his lips. "What about you?"

    "Not long," Mitsi echoed.

    Lysander chuckled and she felt it within his chest, which she was still laying on. Again, Mitsi tried to push herself up right. He let his arm fall this time and Mitsi sat up. Lysander's eyes opened and she tensed as his dark gaze wandered over her. "You've been awake long enough to think about something."

    Her cheeks flushed crimson as she realized what, exactly, Lysander had noticed. A subtle shift in her scent, hardly perceptible, but impossible to mistake. Mitsi gulped and managed to reply without her voice shaking. "I was merely wondering if I fell asleep before you."

    "You did. You basically just fell on me. I planned on moving you to the bed but I didn't want to disturb you until I knew you wouldn't wake, and I suppose I fell asleep before then."

    "Oh. Well, it's all right, just so you know. I don't mind." She lowered her gaze and added, "If you don't, that is."

    "I don't mind."

Her breath quickened as Lysander's hands settled on her waist. The hem of her shirt fell over one, leaving her skin bare beneath his palm. Lysander seemed to notice just as she did. She heard him swallow before their gazes met again. Mitsi barely stifled a gasp as he brushed his thumb across her side, leaving her skin tingling.