Raelynn stirred as the morning light filtered through the curtains. The air in the room was still, carrying the faint scent of lavender from the fresh flowers on the nightstand. Her body felt unbearably heavy, as though she had been pulled into the deepest parts of sleep and was only now clawing her way back to the surface.
Her eyelids fluttered open, her vision unfocused for a moment before the ceiling came into view. The dim light made everything seem softer, but the dull ache in her limbs reminded her that last night had been anything but gentle.
She swallowed, her throat dry. Every part of her body ached in that slow, gnawing way that exhaustion always left behind. Even breathing felt like an effort.
Still, she forced herself to move.
