David's meditative state broke at the sound of shifting blankets. He opened his eyes to find Elara sitting up, her back against the headboard. Moonlight traced silver lines along her profile, highlighting the subtle tension in her jaw. Whether she had truly been asleep or merely feigning rest was impossible to determine, but the alertness in her eyes suggested she'd been awake for some time.
"You should sleep," she said, her voice quiet but clear in the night-hushed room. "The chair can't be comfortable."
David stretched, working out the stiffness that had settled into his muscles during his vigil. "I've slept in worse places."
"So have I," Elara replied with a hint of dry humor. "That doesn't make it a recommendation."
