Islinda jolted from her sleep, her heart pounding as she sat up abruptly, her breath coming in short gasps. Her wide eyes scanned the room, searching for any sign of Aldric, but she was met only with emptiness. She was alone.
As the fog of sleep began to dissipate, confusion and shock flooded Islinda's mind. What in the Fae just happened? The memory of her encounter with Aldric swirled in her mind, fragmented and disjointed. His touch, his words, his intensity – it all felt like a hazy dream, yet the lingering sensation of his presence lingered in the air. She ran a trembling hand through her disheveled hair, trying to piece together the events of the night.
The haze of desire and passion that had enveloped Islinda dissipated, leaving her feeling disoriented and alone in the silence of her room. She blinked, trying to shake off the remnants of the intoxicating experience, but the memories clung to her mind like a bittersweet echo.