The morning wind blew into the bed chamber, thin and refreshing, making the air smell free as the birds chirped in unison and flew across the sky. The rising sun mixed with the bright blue above, making the white clouds melt into the light.

The quiet of the room was broken by the rustling of the blanket as Odesse turned on the mattress, facing down on the bed with her face pressed against the pillow. Her eyes fluttered, smiling as she opened them slowly. The blanket slipped down slightly, leaving her back bare and exposing some distinct bite marks on her skin.

She raised herself up with her arms, pressing her elbow against the bed for assistance. Keeping her back facing upward, she looked at the other side of the bed and whispered, "Was it all a dream... or did we truly mate last night?"

She looked beneath the blanket, her face immediately turning crimson red as she remembered what Valex had told her hours before. He had buried his face against her neck while she gasped aloud, releasing his grip to look up at her and say, "I want to leave my mark on you as much as I can." Back in the present, Odesse buried her blushing face into the pillow, thinking, "I wonder if he regained his memory."

Immediately, a firm knock came at the door. Odesse looked up instantly. "Come in, Cara."

The door opened, and Cara walked into the chamber holding a tray with a bowl of steaming hot broth. She walked toward the bed where Odesse sat with her back bare, setting the tray down on the bedside table. Standing close by, Cara offered a bright smile, scanning Odesse’s back.

"Good morning, Your Highness," Cara said, a knowing look in her eye. "I shall assume you had a wonderful night."

Odesse looked at her and smiled warmly. "I sure did, Cara. It was beautiful."

She sat upright, allowing the cool morning air to touch her bare skin while the heavy blanket covered only her hips and legs. Looking over at the steaming meal, she asked, "What is this, Cara?"

Cara smiled, bending down slightly to lift the hot bowl. "Well, Your Highness, the King caught a baby deer himself this morning while hunting and gave it directly to the chef to make a hot broth for you. So, here it is."

Odesse looked at the bowl, a genuine smile breaking across her face as she whispered, "He remembered."

She stretched out her arms as Cara set the tray onto her lap. "It is very hot," Cara warned, handing the spoon to her slowly.

Odesse took the spoon, gently feeding herself the broth. She smiled warmly as she swallowed. "This tastes really good."

"I am very sure," Cara replied with a smile. "It is the same recipe you have always had, Your Highness."

"Well, it tastes amazing today, Cara," Odesse said, continuing to eat.

Cara looked around the quiet room, leaning in with her eyebrow raised and a smirk on her lips. "I know it is not my place to ask, but... was His Highness here last night?"

Odesse looked up at Cara, her smile widening. "Indeed he was, my dear best friend. And trust me, we had an intimate moment he won’t forget, neither will I."

Cara blushed, stepping back slightly. "Wow, Your Highness. I thought you’d try hiding it from me."

"Why should I?" Odesse chuckled, taking another spoonful. "You are my best friend before any other thing. If you want more details, I will surely tell you."

Cara’s face turned bright red in embarrassment. "No, no... Your Highness!"

Odesse laughed out loud at her reaction, "I am joking Cara!" slowly feeding herself the broth. Her expression then turned reflective. "If grace is on my side, His Highness will surely have regained his memory. But if he hasn’t, then at least he has the memory of last night with him."

Cara looked at Odesse, completely mesmerized. "You have become really bold, Odesse."

Odesse stopped her spoon halfway to her mouth, looking up at her friend. "Bold? Me? My brain still shuts off completely when His Highness is next to me. I guess you could say I just know how to be conscious of my anxious state now and keep calm."

"That is very good, Your Highness," Cara smiled.

Odesse nodded, feeding herself some more broth before asking, "That is true... have you seen Azure this morning?"

Cara’s expression shifted, shaking her head. "No, not really. No one has seen her. It is like she completely vanished."

Odesse’s face turned concerned, her voice dropping to a whisper. "I wonder what she is up to this time."

Immediately, a sharp knock cut through the room. Cara turned toward the entrance. "I shall go check who it is."

She walked over and opened the door slightly, only to find Valex standing tall in the corridor. Cara immediately moved back, bowing her head respectfully as the door swung open fully. "Greetings, Your Highness."

Valex nodded to her, his large frame stepping into the room. He kept his eyes locked onto Odesse, who was sitting on the bed. "Leave us, Cara," he commanded quietly.

Cara bowed, offering a quick smile to Odesse. "Yes, Your Highness." She walked out of the bedchamber, closing the door gently behind her.

Valex walked toward the bed where Odesse sat bare-chested beneath the silver light. He sat down directly at the edge of the mattress beside her. Odesse looked up into his face. "Good morning, my king."

Valex looked down at her lap. "Are you enjoying the broth?"

Odesse nodded gently, her hands shaking slightly as she brought the spoon back up to her mouth. "Yes, yes I am."

Valex looked around the familiar room, his voice steady. "That is very good. I remember you love having broth after we mate, so I decided—"

Odesse suddenly began coughing frantically, the spoon clattering against the tray.

Valex’s eyes widened. "My love, are you okay?" He quickly reached over to the bedside table, grabbing the cup of water and bringing it to her lips, gently assisting her as she drank slowly.

Odesse looked up at him as he lowered the cup, placing it back on the table.

"You should be careful, my love," Valex said softly, his hand resting near hers. "It is very hot. Are you better now?"

Odesse scanned his face, her eyes wide in complete shock. "You... you remember?"

Valex looked at her, a warm, genuine smile breaking across his features. "Of course I do, my love."

Odesse stared at him, her heart hammering. "Who am I?"

He leaned in closer, his voice full of absolute certainty. "My wife. My love. My queen."

Odesse smiled brightly, tears of relief pricking her eyes. "Yes... yes!"

Valex looked at her in slight surprise as she hastily set the tray down on the bed. Without a second thought, she lunged herself forward, throwing her arms around his neck in a tight, unyielding hug.

Valex chuckled softly, his large arms coming around her to hold her securely against him. "My love," he murmured.

Odesse pulled back just enough to hold his face in her hands. Looking deeply into his eyes, she saw that his true, natural amber had completely returned, burning bright and clear. She pressed her lips against his in a passionate kiss, her hands moving to his hair as Valex rested his hands lazily on her bare hips, pulling her closer as she kissed his face multiple times in absolute joy.