Chapter 3Aric awakened precisely when he’d meant to, at the first hint of light before dawn. It was a skill he’d had since he could remember, and it’d been helpful through over a decade of fighting and mercenary work and uncertain living. He lay still for a moment, enjoying the bed and the warmth of Em curled up against him, a kitten-cuddle of short black hair and naked muscle, tucked under his arm.
The bed—even beds plural, shoved together for room—wasn’t big enough for his shoulders; his toes hit the end, sticking out. None of that mattered. They’d slept worse places, and he had Em, and the world was pretty damn wonderful, early hours and giant snails aside.
Emrys had woken as soon as he did; neither of them made any noise, out of long habit, but Aric had turned his head to see a flash
