Page 27 of Quick on the Claw

TWELVE

Tiffany stirred awake, momentarily disoriented by the unfamiliar surroundings. As her eyes adjusted to the soft morning light filtering through the windows, she became acutely aware of the warm, solid presence behind her. Zak’s arm draped protectively over her waist, his steady breath tickling the nape of her neck.

A rush of memories from the previous night flooded her mind, bringing a flush to her cheeks. She’d expected the morning after to be awkward, filled with fumbling words and averted gazes. Instead, she experienced an overwhelming sense of comfort and belonging.

Carefully, she turned in Zak’s embrace to face him. His usually stern features were softened by sleep, making him look younger and more vulnerable. Unable to resist, Tiffany reached out, gently tracing the line of his jaw with her fingertips.

Zak’s eyes fluttered open, their golden amber depths focusing on her with instant recognition. A slow smile spread across his face, warming Tiffany from the inside out.

“Good morning,” he murmured, his voice husky with sleep. “I hope you slept well.”

Tiffany couldn’t help but grin. “Like a baby. Well…when we did finally fall asleep. Though I’m pretty sure your bed is enchanted or something. No way a normal mattress is this comfortable.”

Zak chuckled, pulling her closer. “No enchantments, I assure you. Though I must admit, I’ve never slept better than I did last night.”

They lay there for a while, trading soft kisses and gentle caresses, neither willing to break the spell of the moment. Eventually, though, the demands of the day could no longer be ignored.

“As much as I’d love to stay here all day,” Zak said with a regretful sigh, “I’m afraid we have responsibilities to attend to.”

Tiffany groaned playfully, burying her face in his chest. “Do we have to? Can’t you decree a national day of sleeping in or something?”

Zak laughed, the sound rumbling through his chest. “I’m not sure that would go over well with my advisors. But I promise to make it up to you later.”

With one last lingering kiss, they reluctantly separated to prepare for the day ahead.

Breakfast was a lively affair with Sia and Draven joining them in the palace’s sun-drenched dining room. Tiffany couldn’t help but notice the way Sia seemed to glow, her usual exuberance amplified by an unmistakable air of romance.

As Zak and Draven fell into a discussion about palace security, Tiffany seized the opportunity to pull her cousin aside.

“Okay, spill,” she whispered, eyeing Sia with a knowing smirk. “What’s going on with you and tall, dark, and muscly over there?”

Sia’s eyes sparkled with barely contained excitement. “Oh my god, Tiff, he’s amazing. I mean, obviously he’s gorgeous, but he’s also so sweet and thoughtful. And let me tell you, that man can kiss.”

Tiffany laughed, genuinely happy for her cousin. “I’m glad you’re enjoying yourself. I was a little worried about you being the third wheel on this trip.”

“Are you kidding? This is like, the best vacation ever,” Sia gushed. Then, her expression turned sly. “Speaking of which, I saw you and His Royal Hotness sneaking off to his room last night. Should I start planning my maid of honor speech?”

Tiffany slapped her hands over her face. “It’s not... I mean, we’re not...” She trailed off, unsure how to articulate the whirlwind of emotions she’d been experiencing.

Sia’s teasing grin softened into a more genuine smile. “Hey, I’m just messing with you. But seriously, how are you feeling about all this? It’s a pretty wild situation.”

Tiffany glanced at Zak, catching his eye. He gave her a warm smile before turning back to his conversation with Draven. “It’s... intense,” she admitted. “I’ve never felt anything like this. The way he listens to me, the way he treats me... And he’s so…amazing. I think I’m in love with him.”

“Wow,” Sia breathed. “That’s... big. How do you know if it’s love, though? I mean, we’ve only been here a few days.”

Tiffany shrugged helplessly. “I don’t know. How are you supposed to know?”

Sia thought for a moment. “I guess... when you’re in love, you never want to be away from that person. You want to share everything with them, the good and the bad. And being with them makes you feel like the best version of yourself.”

Tiffany pondered her cousin’s words, storing them away for later reflection. Before she could respond, Zak approached, his hand coming to rest gently on the small of her back.

“I hope I’m not interrupting,” he said, his deep voice sending a pleasant shiver down Tiffany’s spine. “I was wondering if you’d like to join me for a tour of some of the kingdom’s most scenic locations today.”

Tiffany’s face lit up with excitement. “That sounds wonderful! What did you have in mind?”

As Zak outlined his plans for the day, Tiffany found herself captivated not just by the promise of adventure, but by the way his eyes sparkled when he spoke of his kingdom. His passion was infectious, and she couldn’t wait to see Nova Aurora through his eyes.

Their first stop was a hidden glade deep in the heart of the Larkana Forest. As they stepped into the clearing, Tiffany’s breath caught in her throat. The entire glade seemed to pulse with an otherworldly energy. Bioluminescent plants cast a soft, ethereal glow over everything, their light pulsing gently like a heartbeat. Tiny creatures that looked like a cross between butterflies and fireflies flitted about, leaving trails of sparkling light in their wake.

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