Chapter 26: The Warmth

Amy lay in bed, her mind a haze of half-formed dreams and lingering exhaustion. The storm outside raged on, the howling wind and relentless rain creating a symphony of chaos that contrasted sharply with the cocoon of warmth she found herself in. She didn't want this warmth to leave—it was too good, too comforting in a world that felt increasingly uncertain.

Instinctively, she reached out and grabbed the source of the warmth, drawing it closer to herself. She snuggled into it, burying her face in its softness, letting the soothing heat chase away the remnants of her troubled thoughts. The world outside might have been a tempest, but here, in this moment, she felt a rare sense of peace.

As she nuzzled deeper into the warmth, a familiar scent filled her senses, a mix of fresh pine and something uniquely Zion. It was then that she realized where she was—in his embrace, his strong arms wrapped around her in a protective hold. The realization sent a shiver of conflicting emotions through her