Chapter 39 I’ll Be Right Here

The thunder rumbled again and I flinched, but this time it seemed muffled, less jarring. Something warm and slightly rough was covering my ears, blocking out the harsh roar. A comforting scent of pine enveloped me, making me feel soothing and safe.

Ah, right. I dreamed about the Star Ocean’s invasion two years ago—the cabin, Matthew, that scumbag Witto, and the stormy night… It all felt like it belonged to another lifetime.

Half-awake, I nuzzled into the source of that heavenly scent. But I couldn’t fully fall back asleep. As my consciousness slowly returned, I inhaled deeply one more time before finally blinking my eyes open.

Soft, dim lamp light filled the room, chasing away the eerie shadows cast by the raging storm outside. No matter the tempest beyond these walls, in here I was sheltered, protected. I found myself back in the bed from earlier, my head cradled against someone’s muscular thigh.