Chapter 36: A bed, a couch and one confused heart...
Charis
With nowhere else to go, I slumped down against the wall outside Kael’s door, my back pressed against the cold stone.
I pulled my knees up to my chest and wrapped my arms around them, trying to make myself as small as possible.
The corridor outside Kael’s quarters was cold, and I felt every minute drag as I sat there, trying to make myself as warm as possible. This would not be the first time I’ve slept outside. I used to do that a lot back at Crestborne.
Whenever my father goes on one of those drunken rages, I always end up outside in the cold. Most of the time, I would try to stay awake because I was scared of freezing to death, so this was nothing.
Hours passed, and my body had given up protesting. My limbs were stiff, and my eyelids were heavy. I dozed fitfully, my head nodding forward, before jerking back up each time I started to fall asleep.
After what felt like an eternity- probably around four hours, I was beginning to drift off when I felt strong hands lift me from the floor. My breath hitched as the familiar scents of cedarwood and clean soap filled my nostrils.
It was Kael.
I didn’t open my eyes right away. I just let myself sink into the warmth of him, even if it only lasted the short walk into his room. He deposited me gently on the bed, pulling the blanket over me.
My eyes fluttered open to find him moving towards his cupboard to retrieve extra blankets.
"Where are you going?" I asked sleepily, watching him.