Aurelion's eye fluttered open. He blinked a few times, his mind slowly returning from the depths of a dreamless sleep.
He pushed the blanket aside and sat up. "What happened?" he murmured, looking at his hands. A flicker of disbelief crossed his face. "Did I... fall asleep?"
He swung his legs over the side of the bed and stood up. His muscles... the sharp pain from the day before had subsided into a manageable ache.
He went to his wardrobe, pulled out a pair of dark trousers and a shirt, and got dressed. He then went to the bathroom to wash his face. He looked at his reflection in the mirror. They hadn't re-bandaged him. "My wounds must be fully healed," he concluded, splashing cold water on his face.
He headed downstairs. As he reached the living room, he saw Roric, Brynja, and Sigrid sitting on the couches. Facing them, with her back to him, was a blonde woman. His gaze swept over her, and then he saw it. A pair of glasses tucked neatly behind her ear.
