RAGING FLAME

Chapter 1-A dream?

I felt an overwhelming exhaustion despite being hugging my pillow in my beloved bed, the luxurious satin bedcover cool against my skin, its matching pillow offering comfort. The moonlight streamed through the window, casting a dim glow across the room, gentle enough to keep my sleep undisturbed. But as I slowly opened my eyes, I became aware of a presence that shattered the stillness—a distinct thud of shoes approaching. Even in my drowsy intoxicated state, I turned my head, my vision hazy, to see a robust figure moving through the shadows. His features were striking, though the dim light and my sleepy eyes made it hard to make out the details. He moved with a casual confidence, unbuttoning his shirt, the fabric sliding off his broad shoulders, then removing his coat and shoes as if he belonged here, as if this were his nightly ritual. I rubbed my eyes, trying to focus, but my body was sluggish, my mind heavy. He leaned over me, his one knee pressing into the bed, his hand reachin