He was lying beside me, resting on his forearm.
He looked like a war goddess carved from marble—broad shoulders, powerful arms, and a presence that made the air feel heavier.
His expression was unreadable, his golden eyes half-lidded as he stared at me. He hadn’t moved, even though he knew I was awake.
“I’ve been waiting for you to wake up…” His voice was smooth and deliberate, like a slow-moving current beneath still waters.
I rubbed my eyes, trying to make sense of my surroundings.
The bed beneath me was ridiculously soft, the silky sheets cool against my skin. Plump pillows surrounded me, inviting me to sink into them and disappear. The cover was warm and smelled faintly of something unfamiliar yet comforting.
A gentle breeze stirred the sheer curtains, carrying in the scent of the sea. Behind him, through the massive window, a breathtaking sky stretched out before me—swirls of deep violets, rich golds, and endless blues. But what truly made my breath hitch were the clouds.
Fluffy white clouds drifting past, so close it felt like I could reach out and touch them.
My disappointment in being here, in this strange and terrifying world, flickered for a moment—replaced by something I hadn’t felt in a long time. Wonder.
Without thinking, I stretched out my arms, aiming to use him as leverage to push myself over him and reach the window.
I had, however, greatly overestimated my own physical capabilities.
For a body that had spent the last six months wasting away in bed, I moved with the grace of a newborn deer.
My momentum failed me halfway, leaving my upper half sprawled over his shoulder, my face dangerously close to his neck—while my lower half remained stubbornly planted on the bed.
A deep, rich laughter erupted from him, vibrating through my ribs. His body shook with it, and the sensation reverberated all the way to my hips, sending a shiver down my spine.
Before I could react, he shifted effortlessly, pulling me back onto the bed and pinning both my wrists above my head with one hand.
“Was that an attempt to escape?” His smirk deepened, voice dripping with amusement.
I scowled, breathless. “I wasn’t running away—I wanted to check the window behind you!”
He was so close, and for the first time, I truly took in his features.
His hair—wait. Wasn’t it dark before?
Now, it was pure white, gleaming like moonlight. His skin, just as pale, was smooth except for a single scar cutting across his right cheek.
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His jawline was sharp enough to be classified as a weapon. But his eyes—dear God, his eyes. A golden, fiery hue, so intense they seemed to smolder.
Rugged. Predatory. Wild, like a leopard ready to pounce.
Dear God—I rescind my prayers of devotion.
If I had to die, I would gladly do so staring at this face.
“Do you have a name?” His voice pulled me back to reality.
“Aly,” I said, suddenly desperate to know his. “And you?”
A short laugh escaped him. He released me, standing up and walking away from the bed.
“I don’t give my name to women,” he said casually. Then he turned his head slightly, gaze flicking to me with something unreadable. “Especially you.”
I narrowed my eyes.
Even men in other dimensions were complete jerks.
Dear God, forgive my sin, and this time I will truly devote myself to You—if only to protect me from this arrogant animal.
“You can check the window if you want,” he added, a smirk tugging at his lips. “But I doubt you’ll be able to reach it with that size.”
I crawled out of the bed cautiously, feeling as if I were about to drop from a great height. The sheer size of the bed made stepping down seem like a risk—like I was about to jump to the ground.
He stood nearby, arms crossed, watching me with the same unreadable expression.
I ignored him, still fuming from his earlier insult, but I became keenly aware of what I was wearing.
The dress was sleeveless, made of a fabric so smooth and light that it barely felt real against my skin. The snug fit accentuated my waist, its soft white color blending seamlessly with the ethereal glow of the room. My bare, tanned arms stood out against the pale surroundings.
As I took a few steps, I noticed the subtle cuts on the sides of the gown, revealing flashes of my legs with each movement.
I reached the window, stretching onto my toes to peer outside. He was right—I barely reached it. This wasn’t just a big room; it was enormous.
“Who are you?” His voice was deeper this time, more serious.
I turned to him, meeting his gaze with defiance. “I should be asking the same thing. Who are you? And why am I here?”
His golden eyes flickered. “You appeared out of nowhere in the middle of a battle. Would you have survived out there without me?”
I lifted my chin. “Thank you for your help. Does that mean I’m free to go now?” I narrowed my eyes, studying his reaction.
He stepped closer, his imposing frame towering over me. From where I stood, the top of my head barely reached his waist.
Expressionless, his voice dropped to a cold, measured tone. “The thunder brought you to me for a reason. Whether it’s a curse or a blessing… I will find out.” His gaze pinned me in place. “You belong to the Ojan Kingdom now.”
I stiffened.
Who was he? I had assumed he was a commander, but he spoke as if he owned the kingdom.
Without another word, he turned and left.
Had I irritated him? Maybe. Did I care? Not really. The room was beautiful, and for the first time in a long while, I felt safe.
Still, I needed a plan.
If I could ride a horse for hours, maybe I could find a way back home. But where would I get one? The horses here weren’t normal—they were huge, built for creatures far larger than me.
Lost in thought, I caught my reflection in a mirror.
I blinked.
My hair had grown—long, thick curls cascading to the middle of my back, dark and vibrant. My skin glowed with an almost unnatural radiance. The dress fit perfectly, sculpting my curves in a way that made me look effortlessly elegant.
I looked… different. Stronger. Healthier.
Do I even want to go back home?
This room—I’d only ever read about places like this in novels.
And that sexy, arrogant warlord? At least he was someone. Back in my world, what were the chances of meeting a man when I barely left my room?
Zero.
And honestly? It felt like I had left behind a version of myself that no one would miss.
No. I shook my head. I need to explore first. Figure out where I am, who these people are, and most importantly—what kind of food they have.
My thoughts were interrupted as the door opened again.
Two women entered, moving with quiet grace.
They were stunning—tall, with long legs and toned bodies, their gowns nearly identical to mine. Their white hair cascaded like liquid silver, their pale skin glowing in the soft light. They looked almost otherworldly.
Definitely not human.
One carried a tray of food—strange fruits I had never seen before, along with what looked like tea.
The other moved to tidy the bed.
I hesitated before speaking. “Hello? Can you understand me?”
They froze.
Exchanging a panicked glance, they immediately turned and hurried out of the room.
I stared after them, baffled.
Did I just scare them? Or had they been given strict orders not to talk to me?
Alone in the room once more, I turned back to my reflection, studying the unfamiliar yet undeniably alive version of myself. The questions swirled in my mind, relentless. Why am I here? Should I stay? Should I leave?
This world stretched before me, vast and unknown, and for the first time in a long while… I wanted to explore it.
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