As the day wears on, Elowyn’s eyelids grow heavy again. She tries to fight it, but she’s fooling no one.
Eventually, Rominy lies close to her so no one else will hear. “It’s all right to sleep, love.”
“I’m scared.” Her words are quiet, her voice heavy with exhaustion.
“What scares you?”
“I don’t want to get stuck in the heartlanding again.”
“You won’t. Just a normal sleep this time.”
Hopefully, that’s the truth.
“And no matter where you wake,” he continues, “I’ll be there.”
“Anything I want?”
He tries not to smile too widely at that. “Anything you want.”
“Hold me?”
He only glances at their families briefly before wrapping his arms around her as she curls against his chest, and sleep steals her away as soon as her eyelids dust her cheeks.
Priorities
Episode 110
Arisannatriesnottostare at Rominy as he lies on the bed beside Elowyn, holding her close while she sleeps.
Why is he so free with his affection around others, while Arisanna can barely give Cerian a hug without turning red?
Perhaps almost losing the other half of your heart puts things in perspective. Images of Cerian near death flash through her head. She’d probably care less what anyone else thought in that situation, too.
She quickly pushes the disturbing idea aside when Cerian whispers in her ear, “What’s wrong? Your heart rate increased.”
“I was just...imagining you near death.”
“Do you often daydream about such things?”
“What?” She looks at him in horror.
“Should I take that as a no?” His lips twitch, and Arisanna stares at him.
Stars above. He’s teasing her.
“Of course I don’t dream about you dying, Cerian. Don’t be ridiculous.”
They sit on the floor in the corner of the room, and she resists doing anything as undignified as rolling her eyes as she leans against his shoulder.
“I’m relieved to hear it.”
She pokes his ribs before she can stop herself, and he laughs. He’s been in a good mood ever since Elowyn awoke. He even dragged Arisanna to the kitchen and pushed out the words to ask Chef for ice himself.
She was so proud of him.
But now he’s just being incorrigible.
“I was observing how free Rominy is with Elowyn. I imagine watching someone you love almost die would change your priorities a little. Make customs like not embracing in public seem silly.”
