Wake-up Call

Leo's breath was still ragged from the abrupt awakening, his heart pounding against his ribs as he adjusted to reality.

The cold sweat clinging to his back made his nightshirt stick to his skin, but the cool morning air in the room was already working to ease his frayed nerves.

His instincts were still screaming, the remnants of the nightmare lingering in the back of his mind like a shadow he couldn't quite shake.

Then, his attention snapped toward the source of the laughter.

There, standing near the foot of his bed with a bright smile on her face, was Tatiana.

Her presence was as effortless as always, the sunlight streaming through the window illuminating her pale skin, making her crimson eyes gleam with something between amusement and curiosity.

Her dark attire contrasted starkly with the soft glow around her, enhancing the regal, almost ethereal quality she exuded.