Boyd's anger evaporated, replaced by concern.He approached the bed carefully, ready to dodge if she came awake swinging again.
"Bella," he said softly."Bella, wake up.'Tis just a dream."
She did not wake, just continued to struggle against invisible demons.
Cautiously, Boyd sat on the edge of the bed.When she did not immediately attack him, he lay down beside her, moving slowly, giving her time to sense his presence even in sleep.
Then, hardly believing what he was doing, Boyd wrapped his arms around her, pulling her trembling body against his chest.
"Hush,mo leannan," he murmured against her hair, the old endearment slipping out unbidden."'Tis just a dream, sweeting.I'm here."
Bella's breathing hitched once, twice.Then, gradually, it began to even out.Her body relaxed against his, her trembling ceased.
She settled into sleep once more, her head tucked beneath his chin, her body fitting against his as perfectly as it had ten years ago.
As if no time had passed at all.
As if they'd never been broken.
Boyd knew he should move.Should go back to the cot.But his arms wouldn't obey, tightening around her instead.
Against his better judgment, against every wall he'd built around his heart, Boyd held his wife and breathed in the scent of her hair.His lips gently brushed over hers.Then he kissed her forehead and pulled her tighter against him.
They would need to talk once they reached his Keep.There was too much that did not make sense.Too many pieces that did not fit the story he'd believed for years.
But for now, in the quiet darkness, Boyd allowed himself this one moment of peace, this one respite of holding Bella as if she were still his.
"I'm here, My Bella," he whispered.
As if she'd never stopped being his.
***
BELLA WOKE TO WARMTH.
Delicious, enveloping warmth that made her want to burrow deeper and never leave.
She was so comfortable, wrapped in softness and heat, pressed against something solid and safe and—
Wait.
Bella's eyes flew open.She was not in bed alone.She was, in fact, plastered against a very warm, very solid, very male chest.Boyd's chest.
Horror and mortification flooded through her as she realized the situation.She was sprawled across him like a wanton woman, her leg thrown over his thighs, her hand resting on his chest, her head tucked into the curve of his shoulder.His arms were wrapped around her, holding her close, one hand splayed across her back, the other tangled in her hair.
Carefully, moving as slowly as possible, Bella tried to extricate herself.If she could just slip away before he woke, maybe they could pretend this never happened.
But Boyd's arms tightened, pulling her closer.
"Bella," he murmured, still deeply asleep."My Bella."
Bella froze, her heart hammering against her ribs.
My Bella.
The old endearment even in sleep, made something warm unfurl in her chest.Something dangerous and hopeful and terrifying all at once.She tried again to move away, but his grip was like iron.Short of waking him, she had no choice but to stay where she was.
Bella laid her head back down on his chest, listening to the steady thump of his heartbeat beneath her ear.It was still dark outside, just the barest hint of grey lightening the sky beyond the window.
