Morning sunlight filtered through the tall crystal windows, painting thin streaks of silver across the room.
I shifted in my sleep and turned onto my side.
Slowly, my eyes fluttered open.
For a few seconds, I simply stared blankly at the unfamiliar ceiling before yesterday’s events came rushing back.
I was about to sit up when I realized something was wrapped securely around my waist.
My entire body froze and I slowly lowered my eyes.
Cross’s arm were on my waist.
His breathing was slow as he slept beside me.
I blinked twice.
When did we even get to the bedroom?
I couldn’t remember anything after falling asleep beneath the crystal tree.
Carefully, I turned my head toward him.
His eyes were still closed and a strand of his black hair had fallen over his forehead, partially covering one eye.
My gaze lingered on him longer than it should have.
Even with the black horns resting proudly on his head, his face looked like something carved by an artist.
His sharp jaw, long lashes and hisperfectly shaped lips.
I quickly looked away, then looked back again.
A strange curiosity bubbled inside me.
His hair looked incredibly soft.
Would it actually feel as soft as it looked?
Almost without thinking, I slowly raised my hand and wanted to pull the strand off his face.
My fingers moved closer and just before they reached him, his red eyes opened wide.
They locked directly onto mine and I gasped.
Our faces were much closer than I had realized.
Startled, I jerked backward.
“Aah!”
Instead of climbing off the bed gracefully, I completely lost my balance and tumbled straight onto the floor with a loud thud.
Pain shot through my back and I squeezed my eyes shut.
“I’m okay.”
I groaned immediately, rubbing my lower back before he could panic.
Before I could even say another word, Cross was already kneeling beside me.
“Are you hurt?”
His brows knitted together with worry.
He reached toward me but stopped halfway, as though afraid touching me might make things worse.
I forced a smile.
“No.”
I slowly stood up.
“It wasn’t that serious.”
He looked unconvinced.
His eyes quickly searched me from head to toe, making sure I hadn’t actually injured myself.
Only after seeing me standing normally did he finally relax.
An awkward silence settled between us.
Neither of us mentioned what had almost happened moments earlier or why my hand had been inches away from his face.
I quickly cleared my throat.
“Good morning.”
Cross blinked.
It almost sounded like those words were unfamiliar to him, then a small smile appeared.
“Good morning.”
I immediately turned away, pretending to straighten my clothes just so he wouldn’t notice the embarrassment burning across my face.
Please don’t ask what I was trying to do on the bed.
Thankfully, he didn’t.
Instead, his expression became serious again.
“We have to go now, Imogen.”
We still had to find the rift and somehow get back to Earth before the barrier closed.
Cross walked toward the large wardrobe standing against the wall and opened it.
Rows upon rows of neatly arranged clothing filled the shelves.
He carefully began searching through them.
I frowned.
“What are you doing with women’s clothing?”
“I’m looking for something warmer.”
He pulled out a long gown lined with thick white fur.
“It’s really cold in the Western Ridge of Larvana. You’ll need this.”
I stared at the outfit.
It was beautifully made but absolutely not my style.
Dark scales were sewn across parts of the fabric, making it resemble snake skin.
The long flowing sleeves almost touched the floor.
I made a weird face.
“I’m not wearing that.”
Cross looked surprised.
“You should. It’s freezing out there.”
“I don’t want to wear a snake-patterned dress.” I hugged myself dramatically.
“It’s scary.”
He looked even more confused.
“Scary?”
He glanced at the dress, then back at me.
After a moment, he quietly returned it to the wardrobe.
He searched again.
This time he pulled out fitted trousers, leather boots and a thick coat.
“How about this?”
I looked at it.
“There is no way I’m wearing that. I’ll look like an assassin.” I stared at him in horror.
“It’s decent.” He replied.
I ignored him and walked straight to the wardrobe myself.
If he wasn’t going to find something decent, I would.
After searching for a minute, my face lit up.
“There!”
I happily pulled out black fitted warrior pants, high boots, fingerless gloves and a stylish black coat with silver buckles.
Finally.
Something that actually looked like me.
“I’m fine with this.”
Cross looked at the outfit.
His brows slowly pulled together.
“That’s too revealing.”
Before I could even react, he calmly took the clothes from my handsnand dropped them back into the wardrobe.
I stared at him.
Excuse me?
“What’s wrong with showing a little skin?”
“Everything.”
He answered without hesitation.
“The Western Ridge is cold. You need something protective.” He folded his arms.
I folded mine too.
“Fine, you choose.” I lifted my chin stubbornly.
Cross searched again.
Finally, he pulled out another outfit.
It was mostly black, with deep crimson patterns running across the sleeves and chest.
A traditional winter dress with a fitted bodice and a long, flowing skirt.
A thick black cloak trimmed with dark fur.
Simple, elegant and beautiful.
“I’m sure you’ll love this.”
I looked at it carefully before nodding.
“It’s okay. I can manage this.”
He looked oddly relieved.
“I’ll leave you to change. The maids will arrive soon.”
He placed the clothes into my arms.
I nodded.
“Okay.”
Before leaving, Cross stepped closer.
He gently placed a kiss on my forehead.
It was soft, brief and warm.
“I’ll wait outside.” He said and quietly walked out of the room.
The moment the door closed, several maids hurried inside.
“Princess.” They bowed together.
Within minutes, warm water had been prepared.
Fresh towels, jewelry.
Everything had already been arranged before I even asked.
After bathing, they carefully helped me into the new outfit.
The leather hugged my waist perfectly while the long black coat rested neatly over my shoulders.
It wasn’t so comfortable and a little tighter than I expected.
I looked at myself in the large mirror.
The black and crimson colors suited me perfectly.
I looked at myself once more and I flipped my hair dramatically over one shoulder.
“Damn, no wonder the Devil keeps staring.”
I grinned at my reflection.
Immediately the door opened.
Cross stepped inside.
The maids immediately bowed before quietly leaving us alone.
His footsteps stopped.
He simply stared and his red eyes slowly traveled over my outfit before meeting mine again.
A faint smile appeared.
“It suits you.”
I smiled.
“Thanks.”
“Imogen, I feel it’s too tight. You should change into something else.” He said softly.
“Shush.” I replied.
“It’s decent and comfortable.”
He raised his brows and offered me his hand.
“Shall we?”
I slipped my hand into his.
“We shall.”
We hadn’t even taken two steps, when a loud tearing sound echoed through the room.
Both of us froze.
Cross slowly turned toward me.
Then, his eyes lowered.
“Was that the dress?”
I frowned immediately