Brianna
Zae's arms were warm. Everything about him was warm, and even though he was damp, his embrace was comforting.
Brianna sank into his lap, pressing her bare chest against his and wrapping her arms around his neck as he leaned in close to whisper into her ear. Even though she was numb and drained, mentally and emotionally, his words struck a chord within her, and the kelahati woman tightened her arms around him, pulling herself closer.
"Thank you," she whispered into him, eyes half closed. "It means a lot to me..."
She nuzzled into the hollow between his neck and shoulder and breathed in. Zae smelled of the forest and freshly cut timber. It was nostalgic and pleasant, with warm notes of cinnamon mingling in, a bit like something she'd smelled before, but couldn't quite place.
As Brianna sat in his lap, her arms around his neck with his arms around her waist, his steady breathing calmed her down, until finally she felt herself return to normalcy. A part of her didn't want to let go, and keep herself in his arms, but Brianna knew Zae had done this more out of pity than anything.
Still, it was nice to feel comforted, even if only for a moment.
Sliding down his chest and settling back into his lap, Brianna ran her fingers through her hair, Zae's unanswered question hanging in the air. Going with him meant facing a dragon; she knew she wasn't strong enough yet, but going with Zae meant she could become stronger. He'd even offered to help her track down the dragon who'd slaughtered her people. The seed of revenge that had long been planted in her heart stirred, and Brianna knew she'd regret turning him down.
It's not like I have anything better to do, she told herself.
With a slight chuckle, she looked up at the man, who'd called himself a balance keeper, and spoke with a throaty purr. "How could I say no when you asked so nicely?" She leaned back against his chest and glanced up at him from beneath her bangs. "Besides, you still owe me an answer, and now I'm not sure what kind of question I want to ask." Her teasing smile had returned, even though her chest still ached and her eyes still stung from the tears she'd shed earlier.
"You're a good man, Zae," she crooned, setting her hand on his. "I appreciate what you're doing for me, and if there's anything I can do for you, you need only ask."
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