Page 124 of The Hunter's Empire

"Absolutely not." Aurelia's voice fills the room, bright and far too energetic for someone planning a wedding. "We are not starting the day like this."

I groan without opening my eyes. "I wasn't aware there was a wrong way to sleep."

"There is when you're my Maid of Honor."

I hear the curtains being pulled apart before sunlight floods the room, forcing me to squint.

"Aurelia." I mutter, throwing an arm over my face. "I survived a plane crash, spent days running through a jungle, got shot at by what felt like half a private army, and somehow managed not to lose my mind. Surely that earns me one morning where I get to sleep until noon."

She laughs, completely unmoved by my suffering. "No."

"You're incredibly heartless."

"I've been told."

I reach blindly for the pillow beside me and drag it over my face, determined to salvage whatever dignity I have left.

"I'll see you in three hours."

"You'll see me in three minutes."

The pillow disappears. I open one eye just in time to watch Aurelia toss it onto a nearby chair with a satisfied smile.

"Traitor." I accuse.

She folds her arms. "Drama isn't going to save you."

"I wasn't being dramatic."

"You sighed like a Victorian widow."

"I have earned the right."

"You've earned breakfast." She walks over to the edge of the bed and sits beside me, the teasing smile softening into something warmer.

"You really scared me, you know." The words are quiet enough that they catch me off guard.

I push myself up slowly, wincing when my ankle reminds me it still exists.

"I know."

"When Keith left, nobody knew where you were. Every hour that passed..." She shakes her head before looking down at her hands. "I kept thinking about that phone call. I kept wondering if that was the last time I was ever going to hear your voice."

I reach over and squeeze her hand. "I'm sorry."

She immediately looks up. "No." Her expression turns serious. "You are never apologizing for surviving."

"I know, but…"

"No." She points a finger at me. "That conversation is over."

A smile tugs at my lips. "Bossy."

"I've been spending too much time around Keith."

"No." I say with a laugh. "Keith asks politely before threatening people."

She gasps dramatically. "I do not threaten people."