Chapter 39: A Shift in Power

Returning to the castle, Lavinia retreated upstairs to her shared bedroom with Isaac. It struck her in that moment: the irony that they only were able to sleep as a pair in enemy territory. When she opened the door she saw Isaac was already there, asleep on top of the comforter. She paused for a second, watching his chest rise and fall peacefully.

All her stress from the moment before subsided as she watched Isaac sleep. The panic and urgency that had risen in her chest from talking to Sonia seemed less material now. She sat down on the side of the bed and reached to gently touch Isaac's hands. He stirred slightly, returning her grip, but did not wake up. Lavinia smiled, leaning down to brush Isaac's hair out of his face. He shifted, turning onto his side, his momentum pulling Lavinia with him. Curling around her, his hands unconsciously circled her waist.

Lavinia sighed lightly as Isaac pressed his face against the back of her neck. She knew she needed to talk to him,