CHAPTER 14

Venus arose to the sound of her husband's voice. He shook her abruptly and it jolted her awake. She jolted up and sat up straight.

Venus looked around wildly, wondering what happened and where she was. She was sitting on the couch before an unlit fireplace. Her knitting was on the floor, and her needles were scattered over the floor. She was not in her wedding nightgown but a newer and thicker one. A terrible crink in the back of her neck throbbed with relief.

Prince Blackscale stood by her, having a hand on her shoulder. His eyes were filled with worry and surprise but a wave of relief went through them as soon as Venus looked at him. He was dressed in a white tunic and tight brown pants. He appeared half-dressed.

"In the name of the Gods, I..... never mind that," he said, letting go of Venus. "Did you seriously fall asleep on the couch last night?"

Venus felt embarrassed as well as shocked to realize that she had done so. And much more, she had a steamy inappropriate dre