Chapter 2: Too Much to Do

~ ELRETH ~

She was woken unceremoniously by a warm, firm hand, shaking her shoulder.

Sucking in a breath, Elreth lifted her head, blinking.

The lanterns were on. Aaryn was leaned over her on the platform with a hesitant smile.

"….let you sleep as long as I could, but things are starting to move, and they're already asking for you."

Elreth blinked and wiped her mouth, looking around. "It's morning?"

"Yes. I came back from bathing last night to find you sprawled out and snoring."

Elreth growled. "I don't snore."

"Purring then," he chuckled. "In any case, you were obviously exhausted, so I left you."

"Oh, Aaryn, I'm sorry," she said, sitting up, covering her face as her grief and exhaustion of the night before settled back in.