Chapter 34: Unabashedly Staring
Reality hit Nova like a wave, wiping everything out of her.
Even after a hearty meal that left her feeling physically much better, the conversation had drained her. All she wanted to do now was to curl into a ball and feel sorry for herself for a while before attempting to come up with an action plan that probably wouldn’t work.
It was a shame there wasn’t any tub of ice cream around to scoop her feelings out of.
"Get some rest," Yoa’s rumbling voice snapped Nova out of her little pity party of one, even if for a little while. She looked up, remembering that he was still holding onto her. How could she even forget he was holding her? The man was a giant with a presence that could make most people crumble at his feet in fear or awe. His hand was so warm and comforting as well.
Jeez, I’m such a mess. Nova nodded with a soft smile, hoping her eyes didn’t betray her thoughts. She didn’t want to keep being a pain for this man and relying on him so much. Yoa has done so much for her, but they were technically strangers.
"Thanks, Yoa," Nova said softly as he guided her to the bed, lifting the animal hide up for her.
Nova crawled back under the covers, feeling utterly spent. Yoa nodded once back at her in response, then turned away, leaving her to get comfortable.
Nova’s mind raced with possibilities about the lake. It exhausted her. She snuggled into the warmth of the animal hides, noting there was a familiar, somewhat comforting scent to them. There was a hint of an earthy smell with coconut and some sort of spice. Cinnamon?
After sleeping on Yoa in a tree, Nova knew it was what he smelled like. Until now she hadn’t thought much about it what with everything that has been happening. Now as she is being cocooned in the faint scent she realised just how nice Yoa smelled.