He laughed, but it was a hollow sound. “Not very far. I’m just a bit tired myself from our little swim. I have to say, I am glad to hear you speak. I was worried for a moment there.”
“You don’t need to worry about me.”
“You can say that when you stop shaking. Until then, I will continue to do just that.”
Veronica flushed, looking away.
Neither of them said another word as they made their way through the dark forest. The only saving grace was that Veronica no longer heard any wolves.
After what felt like hours, a small wooden cabin came into view. “What is this place?” she asked.
“Just a little hunting lodge my father had built some time ago. We used to come up here on weekends sometimes, and I’ve been known to stay here every now and then when I wanted some time away from Ashton castle. It isn’t much but it should have everything we need to get through the night.”
Veronica nodded, moving to lean against the wall as he moved to open the door.
Kneeling down, Christopher got a key out from under a river rock near the door before letting them both inside.
Christopher had been right. The place was small, only one room. There was a bed, a fire place, and not much else.
“I know it isn’t much, but I’ve got dry clothes inside, and I can get a fire going,” he said.
“It’s fine,” she said quietly, but her voice sounded wrong to her own ears.
“Here,” he said handing her a change of clothes. “They will be a bit big, but they’re dry and warm.”
“Thank you,” she took them then moved off to the side to get dressed while he got a fire going.
She reached back with her shaky hands but couldn’t seem to get the laces on her gown to cooperate.
She struggled for a few more moments before she had to admit defeat.
“Christoper,” she called, face flushing. “I, ah, I can’t get out of my gown.”
“What do you mean you can’t get out of it?”
“I can’t work the laces. My fingers won’t stop shaking.”
“Do you need me to help you?”
Her face darkened. “Unless you think I can get away with wearing the wet gown all night.”
“That probably would not be the best idea.”
“I thought as much,” she said, turning her back to him. “If you can just unlace it some, I can take it from there.”
“Alright,” Christopher said.
He came to stand behind her, hands hovering away from her laces. Her breath caught in her throat.
He was careful, never touching her skin. Instead he carefully pulled her laces until the back of the gown was open.
But even once he was done, he didn’t step away immediately, instead his hands lingered just a few moments longer than was strictly necessary. His throat flexed as he swallowed, but he wouldn’t meet her eyes.
Finally, he stepped away with a sharp exhale. “There, you should be able to take it from there, but let me know if you need any more help.”
“I will. Thank you,” Veronica said.
She waited until he was back by the fire to finish changing. As she pulled on the shirt and pants she couldn’t help but flush. Even aside from the scandal of men’s clothing, there was something unexpectedly intimate about wearing Christoper’s clothes.
