Page 350 of Reign

I sit beside her and brush her hair away from her face.

“Princesa.”

She doesn’t move.

I kiss her temple.

Then her cheek.

Then the corner of her mouth.

Her lips twitch, but her eyes remain closed.

“Elena.”

“No,” she mumbles.

I kiss her again. “Wake up.”

She turns her face into the pillow. “I’m sleeping.”

“You’re speaking.”

“In my sleep.”

“That isn’t convincing.”

I press another kiss beneath her ear.

Elena groans and pulls the pillow over her head.

I take it from her.

Her eyes open immediately, narrowed with outrage.

“Give it back.”

“No.”

She snatches the second pillow and swings it at me.

I catch it before it reaches my face.

“That was violent.”

“You stole my pillow.”

“You were hiding.”

“I was sleeping.”

“No, you weren’t.”

I love that she wakes like this.

There is nothing peaceful or affectionate about Elena being dragged from sleep before she’s ready. She wakes offended. Combative. Prepared to defend her right to remain unconscious with whatever object is closest.

This morning, it happens to be a pillow.