The heavy velvet curtains were drawn tight, blocking out the bright sun of Carleton. Inside the master suite, the air was warm and smelled faintly of musk, lavender, and the remnants of sunflower oil.
Silence hung heavy in the room, broken only by the steady, deep breathing of Carcel.
Then, a sound broke the peace.
Knock. Knock.
It was a polite but firm sound against the heavy oak wood.
Ines stirred. She was buried deep under a mountain of down quilts. Her hair was a tangled mess of reddish brown waves spread across the white pillow. She blinked, her eyelashes fluttering as she tried to make sense of where she was.
"Mm?" she mumbled.
Knock. Knock.
Ines pushed herself up on one elbow. She rubbed her eyes. Her body felt heavy, a delicious kind of exhaustion that seeped into her bones.
"Come in," Ines called out. Her voice was sleepy and rough.
The door handle turned with a soft click.
