"After what just happened?"Krevan's inhaled slowly.“That man nearly trampled you.He could have—" He cut himself off, exhaling slowly."We'll go in a minute.I need to warm up first.This headache is splitting my skull."
"Did you bring anything for the pain?"Ancelin touched his arm gently.
"Took something before we left.It doesn’t matter in this cold."He rolled his shoulders, grimacing.
Ancelin drew back slightly."You know, you're even making me nervous right now."
"I'd never harm you, Ancelin.You don't need to look at me like that."Krevan's voice softened."My head's pounding and I'm on edge, but not with you.Never with you."He got out and circled the vehicle, lifted her into his arms."Stay ahead of me this time," he murmured against her hair as he set her down at the hardware store entrance."Where I can see you."They were in and out quickly, Krevan gathering supplies with efficient movements.When Ancelin reached for the keys, he simply shook his head, jaw set.The drive home went faster with the snow letting up, visibility improved enough to nearly double their speed.As the garage door sealed behind them, something slammed against it from outside—a howling, violent force that made the metal shudder.
"Is that just wind?"Ancelin whispered.
"Yes, that's the wind.The weather service predicted it wouldn't hit until tomorrow, but Verrian's climate is unpredictable."Krevan's shoulders slumped as he rested his head in his hands.His normally vibrant skin had taken on a dull, ashen quality."Thank the stars, we're home.I need to install these power cells and then warm up.I'm...not feeling right."
"Not feeling right how?Is this more than a headache?Can Triaxens get ill?"
"Not ill."He fumbled with the door lock, his fingers unusually clumsy."The cold affects my species differently.It seeps deeper, slows everything down."He guided her inside, his movements stiff."I need warmth.Your warmth."
"But you were so energetic earlier.This seems sudden."
Krevan leaned against the wall, his breathing labored."I exhausted myself before you woke.The greenhouse and barn needed repairs.Spent too long in the cold."His voice softened."That's why I've been...difficult today."
"Should I make you something to eat?"Ancelin touched his arm.
"Already ate before our trip."He gestured toward the stairs."Just need rest and heat."Halfway up the stairs, he paused."Are you hungry, though?"
"Food is the last thing on my mind right now."
"I've never heard you say that before," Ancelin said, raising an eyebrow.
When they reached the bedroom, Krevan peeled off his clothes and disappeared beneath the quilt while Ancelin was still shutting the door.She took her time undressing, slipped her arms through her pajama top, and eased in beside him.His chest already rose and fell with the rhythm of deep sleep.She nestled against the heat radiating from his body and let herself sink into darkness.
Hours later, she stirred, then frowned.Krevan hadn't shifted position once—not even a twitch.Propping herself on one elbow, she studied his face.Sleep had softened his features, smoothed the hard lines around his mouth, yet something dangerous still lurked beneath the calm surface.Like a weapon at rest.Her fingers hovered above his shoulder, then retreated.Waking him seemed unwise, especially given his earlier mood.
"Krevan," Ancelin whispered, her breath warming his ear."Krevan, are you okay?"The words had barely left her lips when the world spun around her.Suddenly she found herself flat on her back, the mattress yielding beneath her as his weight held her in place.Those silver eyes—they pierced through her like frozen daggers.A snarl transformed his face as his mouth opened to reveal fangs that seemed to drip with something clear and deadly.Had they always looked so dangerous?"It's me, Ancelin," she said softly.
Slowly, recognition softened his predatory stare."Ancelin," he murmured, his voice trembling."I’m so sorry.Did I hurt you?"
"I'm fine," she said."You didn't hurt me."
"Are you certain I didn't hurt you?"
"Just startled me, that's all.I've never seen you sleep so deeply before.Does the cold really affect you that severely?"
"When I overexert myself in it, yes.Slows everything—my metabolism, my reflexes, even my thoughts.How long did we sleep?"
"Lost track of time.Been watching you for a while now."She glanced toward the window."Storm's picked up.Snow's coming down sideways.We're not going anywhere tonight."Her fingers brushed his hair back."Should we find something to eat?Your headache any better?"
His eyes—green now, met hers before he leaned down for a gentle kiss.
"I regret frightening you," he murmured against her lips."Food would be good, though I find myself...hungry in other ways as well."His smile revealed teeth that were almost normal now, the deadly fangs sliding back into his gums with a subtle mechanical precision that fascinated her.He shifted his weight, allowing her to move.
"Those teeth of yours..."She shivered."Thank goodness you recognized me in time."
"I would never have hurt you.”
"I know.But hopefully you’ll get used to waking up with me.”She smiled.“I should head down and prepare us something to eat," Ancelin said, retrieving her discarded clothes from the floor and slipping them on.
Krevan's eyes narrowed."Fleeing the scene so quickly?"His tone was accusatory, though the corner of his mouth twitched upward."The house isn't large enough for you to escape me, you know."
