The Witches Image

Chapter 25

Copia woke slowly, the morning light filtering in through the curtains. He lay there for a moment, enjoying the feeling of you cuddling against him, before opening his eyes and stretching slightly.

He looked down at you, still asleep in his arms, a small smile playing on his lips.

Carefully, so as not to wake you, Copia gently extricated himself from your grip. He sat up and swung his legs out of the bed, stretching again as he stood.

He took a moment to watch you sleep, his heart swelling with affection. You looked so peaceful, so content.

Reluctantly, Copia turned away and made his way to the bathroom. He closed the door quietly behind him, not wanting to disturb your peaceful sleep.

He turned on the shower and let the water run until it was hot. Standing under the spray, he let the water wash away the remnants of sleep and last night's activities.

After a few minutes, Copia stepped out of the shower, feeling more awake and refreshed. He grabbed a towel and quickly dried himself, wrapping the towel around his waist.

He opened the bathroom door and stepped back into the bedroom, pausing to watch you sleep for a moment.

Copia made his way to the closet and began to get dressed, his mind already on the tasks he had to accomplish today.

As he buttoned his shirt, he looked over at you, still sound asleep. He smiled to himself, feeling a flicker of affection in his heart.

You rolled over on your side and clutched his pillow. Saying "Copia," sighing in your sleep.

Copia stopped when he heard you murmuring his name in your sleep. A small smile played on his lips, touched by the sound of his own name on your lips.

He finished buttoning his shirt and made his way back to the bed, crouching down to get a closer look at you.

Copia reached out and gently brushed a strand of hair from your face, his touch soft and loving.

"I'm right here, mia cara," he whispered, his voice soft and soothing. "I'm not going anywhere."

Copia chuckled softly at the sight of you smoldering in your sleep. It was adorable the way you subconsciously searched for him.

He wanted nothing more than to crawl back into bed with you, hold you close, and go back to sleep. But duty called and he had work to do.

Reluctantly, Copia stood and looked down at you once more, his heart aching with the desire to stay. But he knew he had to go.

He leaned down and planted a soft kiss on your forehead.

"I have to go, mia cara," he whispered, his voice soft and gentle. "I'll be back later. Sleep well."

Copia took his biretta from the nightstand and placed it on his head. He took one last look at you before leaving the room, closing the door quietly behind him.

The click of the door closing echoed through the room and woke you from your sleep. You looked around and noticed that Copia was gone.

"Copia?" you called out, your voice soft and groggy from sleep. You sat up in bed, a little confused and disoriented.

The sheets slid down your body as you sat up, revealing bare skin. You looked around the room, but there was no sign of Copia.

You felt a pang of disappointment mixed with a little worry. Where had he gone, and why had he left without waking you?

You got out of bed, feeling a little chilly as the cool air hit your bare skin. You made your way to the bathroom to freshen up, your mind still preoccupied with the fact that Copia wasn't here.