Page 125 of Spark of the Everflame

“How am I supposed to—”

“Help her, Eleanor.Please.”

“Alright, alright. Tell me what happened.”

“The Guardians attacked House Benette’s armory. She went in to pull two guards from a fire. The roof caved in before she could get out.”

“Blessed Kindred... why in the nine realms was this girl doing a rescue mission?”

A low growl. “Because I’m a damn idiot.”

Silence.

“Alright. I’ll just, um, go get a dress for her.”

“Pants. She—she normally wears pants.”

“Pants? I don’t have any—never mind. I’ll see what I can find. You’ll stay with her until I’m back?”

“Lumnos herself couldn’t pull me from her side.”

More silence.

“Cousin... who is this woman to you?”

A pause, and a long, heavy sigh.

“Eleanor, I... I think she...”

Darkness.

* * *

Comfortable.

I’d never been so comfortable in my life.

My entire body was enveloped in warmth—not like before, in the armory, where I’d felt like I was slow-roasting on a spit. This was a pleasant warm, a warm I could happily be cradled in and never escape.

And soft. I was surrounded by softness. A nest of it, tucked into me on all sides.

It smelled heavenly. Masculine. Fresh, earthy moss and damp cedar. Old, tanned leather with a peppery musk.

It smelled like my beloved forest. It smelled likehome.

Someone was holding my hand, our fingers interlocked. A tingling thread of energy crept up my arm where our skin made contact. And they were talking to me.

They sounded kind.

I couldn’t make out the words—my head was still fuzzy, and that cursedvoiceinside me wouldn’t stophumming.

But it felt... nice.

Safe.

Right.

Darkness.

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