THERON
I find a small hollow beneath an overhanging tree, the ground thick with soft green moss that rises like a natural bed.It’llhave to do.
Carefully,Ilower her down, being sure not to bump her head.
“Stay with me,”Imurmur, brushing wet hair from her face.“You’reall right.I’vegot you, baby.Juststay with me.”
I force myself to move quickly—fear driving me despite my weariness.
I need branches—dry ones ifIcan find them.Kindling—anything that will catch.
My hands are clumsy with cold and exhaustion, butImanage to gather enough, stacking it in a rough pile nearby.ThenIdraw on myDrake—just enough—and exhale a small gout of flame.
The fire catches and flames lick up the dry kindling, starting a small blaze.
Relief floods me, sharp and immediate.Good—it’s a start.
I turn back toElowen.Ineed to warm her up—otherwise she’ll freeze to death.
Her clothes are soaked through—clinging and heavy—leeching what little warmth she has left.Ihesitate only for a second beforeIbegin to strip them away, working quickly and efficiently.
This isn’t about anything except survival.Ihave to get her warm to save her and that meansIhave to get her naked first.
I strip off her robe, her underlayers—all of it.
I lay them out near the fire, spreading them across the moss so they can begin to dry.
ThenIstrip off my own clothes as well.They’rejust as soaked, just as useless for warming her.Weneed to be skin-to-skin for me to warm her effectively.
The air is cold against my bare flesh, butIbarely feel it—I’mtotally focused on my curvy little priestess, who’s still lying there on the moss, cold and still and barely breathing.
Positioning us so the fire is at her back,Igather her into my arms again.Ipull her against me, pressing her body to mine asIbegin to rub warmth back into her skin—her arms, her shoulders, her back.
“Come on,”Imurmur.“Comeon, little one.Comeback to me.”
Her skin is like ice which fucking terrifies me.Irub harder, brisk strokes, trying to generate heat, trying to bring color back into her pale flesh.Ikeep her close, my body shielding hers from the chill, sharing what warmthIcan.MyDrakehelps, pushing the heat of his fire into my skin untilI’mlike a fucking oven.
“Breathe,”Iwhisper toElowen.“That’sit.Justbreathe.”
For a long moment, nothing happens andI’mafraid it’s too late—that she’s too close to death’s doorway and she’s going to slip through it even thoughI’mholding her in my arms, trying to pull her back.
Then, like a gift from theGoddessherself,Ifeel her stirring.Afaint sound escapes her lips—something between a sigh and a moan—and relief crashes through me.
“Elowen,”Ibreathe, her name like a prayer on my lips.“Elowen, come back to me.”
Her long lashes flutter and her eyes open slowly, unfocused at first, then finding me.
“Wh-what…?”Hervoice is barely more than a whisper, her teeth chattering.“Wh-what h-h-happened?WhereamI?”
“TheSacredRiver,”Itell her, brushing her hair back gently.“Itgot angry when you took the water.Washedus both away.”Iswallow hard, my throat tight.“IthoughtI’dlost you, little one.”
The words come out rough, heavier thanI’dintended.Justthinking it again—thinking of her disappearing beneath that water—makes something twist painfully in my chest.
“I’m s-so c-c-cold,” she whispers, shivering violently now.“WhyamInuh-naked?”
“Your robes were drenched,”Isay, nodding toward where they’re spread near the fire.“They’redrying.I’mjust trying to warm you up.”
She shifts slightly, becoming more aware, and her gaze flickers down between us to where our bodies are pressed together.