Chapter 314
Katelina woke the next evening in Jorick's cool arms. The electric light that seeped around the edges of the door gleamed on the smooth planes of his skin. She traced the patterns on his cheek with her fingertips and brushed back errant strands of his midnight hair. With everything that had happened lately, it was as if she'd forgotten how beautiful he was, even though he'd been right there in front of her; as if she just hadn't had time to notice him or the butterflies that fluttered in her stomach at his nearness. Like an old married couple, his face had become a familiar feature on the tapestry of her day-to-day life, one she'd glanced at but had forgotten to enjoy.
She snuggled closer to him and ran her hands up his strong back. The muscles tensed and flexed beneath his skin and his arms tightened around her. She expected the usual gasp; the sudden intake of air that signaled he was waking, but there was only cool breath on her neck. He was already awake.