“The water was chilly at the end.”
“We need to get you out of these wet clothes.”
He doesn’t want to do that. He wants to sit here, holding her for just a little longer.
Or forever. Either way.
Stars above, what is he doing?
He releases her, putting space between them as he glances over her once more to ensure she’s all right. Her gown clings to her like a second skin, but she’s breathing. She’s obviously breathing.
Tearing his eyes away, he clears his throat, and another shiver wracks his body. “You need to dry off, too.”
“You’re so cold, though. Your skin is like ice.” She runs her hands over his arms, and he looks at her in shock. Her hands are so warm. How are her hands so warm?
“What are you doing?” he asks.
“Using my fire magic to warm you up. Is it too hot?”
He shakes his head, though her touch feels like fire of a different sort.
She catches him staring at her, and her hands still as her cheeks turn a faint pink. “Maybe you should change into something dry. I’ll light a fire in the hearth.”
Swallowing, he nods, and she rises. Once she’s kneeling near the fireplace, he hurries to the little bedroom and pushes the door shut behind him. His heart pounds as he leans back against the solid wood, recalling the sensation of her warm touch on his chilled arms. The sudden urge to return to her and pull her close again leaves him backing away from the door.
What is happening to him?
He’s clearly addled.
Pushing thoughts of Elowyn aside, he strips out of his wet garments and tugs open the wardrobe doors. Unlike last time, when the small closet was filled with clothing of every kind imaginable, there’s only a simple flannel shirt and matching trousers.
Pajamas?
He glances back at his wet puddle of clothes as he shivers.
Unsure what else to do, he grabs the flannels and slides them on. Then, taking a deep breath, he pulls the door open, and Elowyn glances up from the cozy fire she lit in the hearth. Her eyes flit over him, but she just beckons him closer. “Come get warm while I change.”
He tries not to fidget with his nightclothes as he approaches her, and with a soft smile, she hops to her feet and makes her way to the bedroom.
WhenRominyemergedwearingwhat looked like a garment meant for sleeping, Elowyn almost did a double-take, but as she stares into the wardrobe, she can guess why he chose that ensemble.
That’s all the heartlanding seems to be offering.
She could draw the water from their clothes using her magic, but the ache to return to Rominy right away fills her.
It must be the heartbinding causing it. Pera said it would draw them together. She fingers the soft fabric of the sleeping gown hanging alone in the wardrobe and sighs. Navigating the heartbinding without her parents to guide her is harder than she expected. They did their best to prepare her, but it’s not the same.
Don’t fight it.
That’s what they told her.
Lean into the feelings. Let them grow.
Her wrist aches as she reaches for the gown, and she pulls her arm back, using her other hand instead. She must have sprained it when they fell. Hopefully, Rominy won’t notice. She just needs to survive until they wake, and then everything will be fine again. It’s not sore enough to fret over as long as she doesn’t move it too much.
After removing the gown from the hanger with her good hand, she gingerly slides it over her head. It’s soft and warm, and it covers everything. More or less. That’s probably good enough to wear around Rominy.
They are bound, after all.
