The campfire's glow pulsed once, warm and almost alive, as if the library itself was listening.
Kevin had closed his eyes, his breathing finally slowing to something steadier. His hands, still clenched against the cushion, had relaxed. Vivianne sat cross-legged, staring into the ash with an expression that hovered somewhere between exhaustion and thoughtfulness.
Evelina's thumb traced slow circles on the back of my hand.
"The archmage will come for us soon," she said quietly. "He won't let us rest for long."
"Then we rest now."
"Aren't you tired, Cael?"
"Exhausted."
"Then rest."
She tugged gently, pulling me sideways until my head rested against her lap. Her long hair smelled like something familiar, not quite flowers, not quite smoke. Something that was just her.
Maybe it was her succubus abilities getting to me.
I closed my eyes.
"You two are disgustingly comfortable with each other," Vivianne muttered, but there was no heat in it.
