Serena had gone back to sleep a few minutes after Darius had left. The sunlight spilled in through her open windows, and the sounds of birds woke her up.
A soft stretch had her back arching like a cat's, arms reaching toward the ceiling before flopping to her sides again. Her head lolled forward, then back, a sleepy rhythm to her movement as she scratched at her scalp and let her feet find the cool floor. She pulled her nightgown over herself and yawned.
Leaning on the windowsill, Serena watched the activity outside: a patrol shifted at the gates, a pair of couriers passed by with scrolls clutched tightly, and somewhere in the courtyard, the clang of training swords echoed faintly.
Serena rubbed her eyes to help them adjust to the light. A few seconds passed, her lips parted slightly, and then she smiled.
