Slade, who is Rafael

WINTER'S POV

I groaned as I woke up, sitting up abruptly as the memories from the previous night flooded back to me.

It wasn't a dream; it felt too magical for that. It seemed like we had both given each other everything, as if it might be the last time we'd see each other.

A grimace crossed my face as I noticed my clothes strewn across the forest floor, and Slade was nowhere in sight.

Slade or Rafael? Despite him mentioning that he was the former, it still felt surreal.

I tried to piece together what had happened without getting lost in the passion, but all I could understand was that the goddess had spared me from venturing into the dangerous forest to seek Slade's memory.

A smile lit up my lips, and I rose gingerly from my spot, forgetting my earlier shyness due to my nakedness. It had been an insecurity I struggled with, and though I knew Slade would make me feel better, I didn't want to dwell on that too much.

Once I was dressed, Slade returned from who knows where, and I raised