As I held Lydia in my arms, she adjusted herself, fitting into me perfectly.
Her uniform, still the same one she'd worn since leaving the valley, didn't have much fabric on it. It was meant for stealth and speed, not for protection against the breaking winter winds. Especially not here in the north. Well... north-east to be specific.
Her body was cold at first, almost startlingly so. But slowly, gradually, it turned warm as we held each other. I could feel the heat building between us, her frame relaxing against mine.
"Ahem."
Merin made a fake cough.
Lydia jolted and immediately backed away from me, her face flushing slightly even in the dim light.
I looked at Merin, annoyed. "What is it?"
My eyes immediately went to her hands, specifically, to the fact that she wasn't holding the box I'd ordered her to bring.
