Rudraveer woke first, sunlight still hours away, the room cloaked in a deep, peaceful gloom. He was intensely warm, utterly devoid of the shivers that had plagued him hours before.

His eyes opened slowly, adjusting to the darkness. His body was heavy, reluctant to move, and he instantly recognized the exquisite, tender weight of Maahi's hand resting on the back of his neck, her fingers tangled in his hair.