Blinking awake Tess struggled to focus. Her body sore, her head felt like it would explode. She slowly turned her head looking around, trying to get her bearings. The last thing she remembered was being tied down and beaten like a dog. The soft, warm furs wrapped around her and the fire lit space was familiar to her. Dax sat slumped against the side of his chest at the foot of the bed. His long legs stretched out in front of him. His arms folded over his waist. His golden locks fell into his eyes. The mug of ale fallen from his hand spilled out over the dirt floor.
Tess pushed herself up on her elbows watching him sleep, wondering when he had returned. Sitting up, Tess held the furs up around her shoulders. Glancing around, she spotted a platter of bread and meat
