They Started Bickering Again

Valerie's POV:

Bright morning sunlight streams across the spacious bedroom, cutting through the haze of a terrifying nightmare. I jolt awake, a frantic gasp tearing from my throat. Instead of an attack, a startling realization hits me. My fingers are intertwined with a large, warm hand. I look to my side. Kaelen's hand.

Panic flares in my chest. I snatch my hand back as if burned, scrambling bac