The scent hit her first, before she was fully awake. It smelled like the forest after rain. Familiar. It was the same one that threaded through her dreams.
The second thing she felt was warmth and an arm wrapped around her. Warmth was dangerous. Cold kept you alert and alive. And right now, every inch of her was warm.
Then panic slammed into her chest. Her body knew before her mind caught up: she had almost died.
The arm around her tightened immediately, as if it had been waiting for that exact moment.
"Hey, Serena. You're safe."
Her lashes fluttered open as the room swam into view. She registered the I.V. attached to her arm first, then the silk camisole and shorts she was wearing.
There was a version of Serena's life where waking up in a prince's arms made sense. This was not that version.
"Dexmon?"
"First off, call me Dex."
Color rushed to her cheeks, the request landing more intimately than it should have.
"And most importantly," he continued, "how are you feeling?"
