Strax woke up to an extremely pleasant sensation.
Warmth.
Silence.
And a very beautiful woman sleeping peacefully beside him.
Mercedes lay with her back to him, her long hair spread across the pillow and one hand resting on the arm Strax had wrapped around her waist. Her breathing was slow and peaceful, and the serious expression she usually wore during the day had completely disappeared.
Strax smiled.
It was rare for him to enjoy a morning like this.
No paperwork.
No meetings.
No divine calamity threatening to destroy half the continent.
Just him, his wife, and a comfortable bed.
He moved a little closer, gently kissing Mercedes's shoulder.
"Hmm... five more minutes, darling..." Mercedes murmured, pressing his arm against her waist.
Strax chuckled softly.
"I didn't even say anything," Strax replied, closing his eyes again.
"You were thinking about getting up," Mercedes grumbled, snuggling against him.
