Arthur's eyes opened slowly. The first thing he became aware of was warmth. Soft, comfortable warmth pressed against his side.
He turned his head slightly and saw Cora. She was still asleep, her face peaceful and relaxed in a way he'd rarely seen before. Her pink hair was spread across the pillow like silk. Her breathing was slow and even.
She was cuddled against him. One arm draped across his chest. One leg tangled with his beneath the soft sheets. Her body fit against his perfectly, as if they'd been made to rest like this.
The events of the previous night came back to Arthur's mind. Clear and vivid. The conversation. The confessions. The connection that had formed between them.
And what came after. The intimacy they'd shared. The way Cora had looked at him with trust and desire and something deeper. The way they'd come together, not just physically but emotionally. Spiritually.
It had been... significant. More meaningful than Arthur had anticipated.
