Utterly and completely perfect.
“I wish the train would stop,” she whispers.
He looks at her in surprise, and the longing in her eyes steals his breath away.
“I...want you, Cerian.”
Whistling wind. There had better be water wherever the train deposits them.
Her gaze carries a soft vulnerability as she looks up at him.
“Here I am,” he says. “I just need some water to ensure I don’t set you on fire.”
“What if I want you to set me on fire, my elven fire wielder?” Her eyes light up with an impish smile.
That’s hardly helping his magic, but he doesn’t complain. “Then I will endeavor to do so. Figuratively, of course.”
“Of course.”
As the train stops, he looks longingly down at her. But he keeps his hands to himself. That seems wise with the heat filling him at the moment.
She doesn’t seem in a hurry to leave her spot on his lap, and Cerian eventually clears his throat. “Are you ready to disembark?”
“I’m a little nervous about what we’re going to find.” She’s turned serious again, and he nods.
“It will be all right. It was all right last time, wasn’t it?”
“It was better than all right.”
“Then perhaps we should trust the heartlanding. Just...give me a moment.”
As she watches, he lifts his hands above his head and lets off some of his heat. Then, once his palms aren’t in danger of burning her, he offers her a hand. “Together?”
“Together.” She clings to him as he helps her to her feet, and they wander toward the back of the railcar while Cerian’s anxiety grows. Arisanna’s heart races within his chest to match.
It will be fine, though. Every expedition beyond this train has been perfect. Even when it appeared otherwise at first.
He lets out a deep breath, and as they step into the open doorway, he freezes, and Arisanna gasps behind him.
Whistling wind.
Trust the Heartlanding
Episode 89
Theheartlandingisacruel, cruel place.
Cerian stares out the door of their railcar as Arisanna clutches his hand.
“Well. That’s ironic,” she says.
He glances her way before turning back to the scene in front of them.
Sand. Nothing but miles and miles of sand.
“Perhaps we should stay on the train,” he whispers.
“Weren’t you just saying we should trust the heartlanding?”
