Inside, a tall lamp burned, casting dim, golden light and shadows. Beside him, Ilana’s body was warm. He turned onto his side and found her awake. “Watching me sleep again?” she asked him, her smile lazy. Utterly seductive. “You’re lovely when you sleep,” he told her truthfully. “It seems you’ve gotten to see a lot of that these last days.” “I don’t mind. There are worse things than to watch a gorgeous woman sleep. Like Sleeping Beauty, you are.” “Except that she was a virgin, wasn’t she?” “In some of the tales, perhaps.” He grinned. “I much prefer this version.” “Where are the others? Do you know?” she asked. “Luka and Konstantine. Ever.” “Gone. It’s difficult to say. They’ll return when they want us again.” “How long did I sleep this time?” she asked him, stretching, her arms over her head. He loved to see her like this. Her blonde waves mussed, her dark blue eyes heavy lidded. With sleep or passion. “I’m not certain. I slept myself.
