Chapter 16: Sleeping Beauty

Zale’s POV

Adeline’s long eyelashes and soft lips look elegant under the barely-there sunlight brimming over the horizon as it slowly begins to lighten the room. I exhale softly and lean back against the wooden headboard and bring my arms behind my head to rest against them.

At first, my eyes are looking directly across the room through the window, admiring how still and quiet the world is this early in the morning. But after a moment, I can’t help but draw my eyes to the woman sleeping soundly beside me. Her soft breaths escape her lips with each inhale and exhale.

I fell asleep last night while we talked about what we’re going to do about the ritual tomorrow night.

The tea incident with Leona couldn’t have been at a more convenient time for her because now my mother isn’t allowing Adeline and me to spend time together as we had originally agreed. I believe Adeline when she says she wasn’t the one who poured the tea on Leona.