“I don’t think it works like that when it comes to sleeping arrangements.”
“We will fit,” Warden says. “I can guarantee it.”
We do not fit.
The only way, as predicted, we can both get under the shelter is if I lie on top of Warden. And, given I’d like to keep my clothing as dry as possible, I need to get out of my dress too.
So, I’d be lying on top of Warden in just my shift.
“This isn’t going to work,” I tell him. “Not if I get undressed.”
“I do not care what you wear, my lady,” Warden says. “Wear what you want. Wear nothing at all if you need to.”
“Oh, you’d love that, wouldn’t you?” I retort.
To add insult to injury, it has started to rain, the drops pitter pattering on the wood around us and the makeshift tent. Inside there are some little glow worms, emitting a greenish light. Normally I wouldn’t sleep with insects, but in this case, I rather like the little critters helping out.
I guess I have little choice. I pull off my sword then my dress, bundle it up as small as I can before stuffing it into the shelter, and then climb in, sword by my side still because I can’t leave it behind.
On top of Warden.
“See,” he says. “It’s good.”
“You might say that, but you’re lumpy,” I grumble.
“So are you,” Warden replies. “Lumps on the front and rear.”
The absurdity of his words makes me giggle. And once I’ve started, I’m struggling to stop.
“Don’t…jiggle,” Warden growls.
“Lumps on the front and back,” I repeat and laugh even more.
“Female…” Warden growls again.
“Yes, I’m female. That’s why I have lumps…front and back.”
I feel the growl in Warden’s chest rather than hear it. “I know what a female is,” he says, in a way which makes me think, strangely, he doesn’t have a clue.
Then he huffs out a long breath. “We should sleep. Chances are the Underhill will not make it easy for us to leave tomorrow.”
“Oh, great.” His words take the laughter out of me. “Yet more possible death.”
“Not while I am around, my lady,” Warden rumbles. “You have your sword too,” he adds.
He is right. I have one hand on it as I lie over him.
“Yes,” I reply. “I do.” But my stomach is filled with stones.
The sword is the last thing I want.
But the Brag, now slumbering beneath me? The one who hates his immortality, something so many crave, and has a past which seems as dark as our present. The creature who seems to attract mayhem and danger.
I can’t possibly want him instead…
WARDEN
Ipretend to sleep for what seems like a long time. Until, I think, my lady sleeps too. Her body is soft, fragrant, and warm on mine. Perhaps I could have made the shelter bigger, perhaps I could have slumbered outside in my Brag form as I have done many times in the Night Lands on the battlefield.
