LATER
Eris slept.
Finally. Deeply. The kind of unconsciousness that came from exhaustion and healing and exertion that had probably not been doctor-recommended but had definitely been mutually enjoyed.
She'd been stripped down to just the thin fabric, see-through, barely decent but at least dry now, at least not weighing her down with half the river's worth of water.
I'd wrapped her in the frost-woven blankets.
Carefully. Making sure she was warm despite the cave's chill, despite my natural cold, despite the fact that her fire was still sealed and her body was still learning how to regulate temperature without it.
She was cradled in my arms now.
Had been for the past hour while I'd sat there watching her sleep, memorizing the way she looked peaceful, the way her face relaxed when she wasn't performing strength or cruelty or any of the masks she showed the world.
I hoped she'd sleep for a long time.
