Chapter 28: Chill of the wind
Noelle stared at Thorne, blinking as the words sunk in. "Thorne... we're already married," he said slowly, his voice laced with confusion. Was his brain malfunctioning, or had Thorne somehow forgotten?
Thorne shifted closer, his palm resting over Noelle's. The warmth of his touch spread through the cold air like a gentle heat, contrasting the biting wind around them.
"I know we are," Thorne began, his voice low and soft. "We're married, I'm fully aware of that. But..." He paused, searching for the right words, while Noelle watched him, still unsure where this was going. The tension hung thick in the air, the cold nearly forgotten as Noelle sat quietly, waiting.
Thorne took a deep breath, his hand squeezing Noelle's slightly as he continued. "We're married, yes. But you're married to me, Noelle. I don't feel like I'm married to you." His voice softened with a vulnerability that made Noelle raise an eyebrow, suspicion creeping back into his expression.
"What are you talking about?" Noelle's voice was cautious, but there was a small flicker of concern behind it. Thorne chuckled lightly, his thumb brushing over Noelle's hand, as if reassuring him.
"To me, you're like an angel who appeared out of nowhere. You saved me, pulled me out from the darkest depths, both physically and mentally. I was lost, Noelle. I had given up on everything—on life itself. And then there you were, pulling me out of that despair," Thorne said, his voice carrying a deep gratitude that tugged at Noelle's chest.
Noelle watched as Thorne's eyes softened, the intensity of his gaze unwavering. "These past few months with you, they've been incredible. But now... now I'm greedy." Thorne's voice dropped, his words laced with quiet yearning. "I want more. I want to know who Noelle really is."
Noelle's breath hitched as Thorne's fingers intertwined with his, the gesture grounding him amidst the swirling emotions.
"I know pieces of you now. Little bits of the man who took me in and healed me. But I want to know what makes you laugh, how you grew up, what your dreams are," Thorne said, his voice low, yet filled with sincerity. "I want to know your favorite flower, what scares you, what brings you joy. I want to know you, Noelle."
Thorne's blue eyes, full of intensity and longing, locked onto Noelle's, and in that moment, Noelle found himself unable to look away. He could feel the depth of Thorne's words, the honesty, and the vulnerability beneath them. For all the times Noelle had cared for him, nurtured him back to health, he had never expected this raw desire for something deeper.
Thorne's words hung in the chilly air, his voice trembling slightly with vulnerability. "If you want to," he continued softly, "you can do the same for me. I'm scared that once you truly know me—what kind of person I am—you'll leave." His eyes lowered, and Noelle could feel the weight of that fear hanging between them. "But... well, I'll think about it when the time comes."