I woke to pale morning light filtering through the shutters and the smell of bread baking somewhere below.
For a moment I couldn't remember where I was, the bed was too soft, the ceiling unfamiliar, then memory caught up.
Thornhaven inn. Right.
I sat up slowly, my body protesting the movement with aches.
My muscles were stiff from yesterday's running and fighting.
Getting too old for this. I'm seventeen. I shouldn't feel like this.
Tessa was already awake, sitting by the window with her hair braided loosely, wearing a clean traveling outfit. She looked up when I stirred.
"Good morning, husband~" She said it with just enough teasing emphasis to make me groan.
"Please don't."
"Why not? We need to maintain our cover." She stood and stretched, her back cracking audibly. "Besides, it's fun watching you get all flustered."
"I don't get flustered."
"You're blushing right now."
"That's—" I stopped, realizing arguing would only make it worse. "Never mind. Is Scarlet awake?"
