Bri’s eyes shut, and she savored the feeling of Lina’s warm skin against her neck and grinned. “All the more reason to do it, then.”

*   *   *

Sunlight filtered into the atrium as Bri’s eyes peeked open. She blinked a few times, realizing she wasn’t asleep, waking without a jolt. No nightmares had roused her from her slumber. A soft chest rose and fell against her hand, the heady scent of jasmine swirling around her.

Lina’s head rested on Bri’s thigh, her chin tucked into the fabric of Bri’s trousers as her loud breaths echoed off the tiles. Birds twittered, flitting in and out of the holes in the atrium roof. Bri inhaled, her brows knitting together.

She’d slept.

She’d slept through the night without any drink. No lust-filled evening or long day’s training was required. She’d merely fallen asleep with the warmth of Lina pressed against her. She shook her head, staring down at Lina’s peaceful face. She traced the delicate outline of Lina’s pointed ear, her calloused fingers dropping down to the bow of her lips. Gods, those lips.

Lina let out a soft groan, grumbling as she turned her face further into Bri’s lap. Bri grinned, sweeping her hand gently down Lina’s back. The soft fabric of her robes bunched at her hips and she hummed.

Bri savored that feeling—deeply calm for the first time in many years. She wished she could bottle it up and take it with her when she left Swifthill—to be able to tunnel into that steady peace, like dropping below the roiling ocean waves to the calm below the storm. Maybe then she’d be able to sleep without exhausting herself first.

Lina stirred again, this time opening her eyes and sitting up. “Oh.”

“Good morning,” Bri said with a sleepy grin, stretching her arms above her head.

“I slept,” Lina murmured, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. Confusion addled her expression. “I can’t believe I slept. I don’t even remember falling asleep.”

“Nor I.” Bri chuckled. “But for the first time in as long as I can remember, I didn’t wake to a pounding headache.”

Lina blinked at her. Bri pressed her lips together to keep from laughing at the Princess’s bemusement.

“The funeral must have drained me more than I realized,” she muttered, regaining her composure—that sharp personality pulling back into place. “I need to get ready for the day.” Lina swept a hand down her robes and stood, grabbing the amethyst dagger from the bench. “We’re meant to be at the brown witch temple for their morning prayers.”

“I’ll go get ready.” Groaning, Bri stood, stretching again. “I haven’t actually slept with anyone in a very long time. I appreciate the rest.”

Lina paused, cocking her head as she considered Bri. “Perhaps we bring each other luck in that endeavor.”