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" Matches burn, after the other,
Pages turn and stick to each other,
Wages earned, and lessons learned, but I,
I'm right where you left me "
―I WAKE UP with my head on Nikolai's chest, his arms wrapped around my waist as I use him like a pillow. My eyes flutter open and I look around, trying to remember where I am. Deep blue walls, the room darkened by the closed, lapis curtains. I turn my head and regard Nikolai. His eyes are closed, his breathing in calm, small puffs, golden blond hair in disarray. He stirs slightly then awakens.
"Yi?" His voice is scratchy from disuse.
"Good morning, golden boy," I greet, rolling off of him. "Saints, what time is it? I have a council meeting today with the other Grisha―" My eyes widen and I immediately tumble off of the bed.
"What's wrong?" Nikolai asks, studying me with dull amusement.
"Oh, no," I gasp, looking out the window. "I'm in the Grand Palace. Saints―" I whirl around to face Nikolai. "Vasily can't see me here. No one can. I have to make it to the meeting, and I don't even have my kefta―"
"Yi, take a deep breath," Nikolai says, getting to his feet.
The blanket falls from his body, revealing his bare torso that's incredibly more visible in morning light. He's only wearing his night pants, his silk pyjama button―up discarded somewhere in the bed.
"Do not tell me to relax right now, Nikolai," I warn.
He holds up his hands in mock surrender. "Wouldn't dream of it, lovely."
"I have to get out of here before Vasily returns from his hunting trip," I tell Nikolai.
"You haven't even had breakfast, and it would be in poor taste to let you leave in your nightgown," he responds matter-of-factly. "Breakfast will arrive in five minutes, and you have an hour before your next council meeting, so I'll be able to have a servant deliver a kefta for you."
I hold up a hand as he gets closer. "Put on a shirt."
His lips quirk upwards. "As you wish."
He leaves in the direction of his bathroom, where I assume his close is as well. I release a long sigh, running my hands through my tangled curls. I had plans to start treating my hair properly when we got back, but I've been far too caught up.
There's a mirror on the nightstand and I pick it up to study my reflection.
