A Vow in the Dark

The morning sun broke over the snow-dusted Bohemian countryside in brilliant brushstrokes of pale amber and winter gold, casting long, peaceful rays through the eastern windows of the boathouse loft. In the small, clean bedroom above the workshop, the roaring woodstove had chased away every trace of the river's chill, filling the cedar-paneled room with soothing warmth. Sienna lay curled against Alexander’s chest on the wide feather mattress, naked beneath…