Nothing is Ever Easy

Sunlight poked through the cloudy skies surrounding Northmarch, the wide windows in Lucien's room trickled in some of this light and settled on the Duke's face. He had Ali wrapped in his arms and tightened them as he slowly stirred in bed.

It was well past breakfast Ali finally woke up, still wrapped in Lucien's arms. He had been up for a while but didn't want to wake her up because of how calm and beautiful she looked asleep. When her eyes were closed and her brow unfurrowed, with her lips slightly parted she didn't look to have the hard shell she put on in front of others.