Wind howls around the cabin, and Angelo imagines he can feel the chill of it seeping through the walls. Ridiculous, of course; even if the walls weren't thick and solid, built for just this kind of weather, their hostess has built up fires in all the rooms out of deference for their harrowing experience that afternoon.
He suspects the chill was left behind by the torrent of ice and snow which thundered down on them, and wonders if it will fade before they're away from this Goddess-forsaken land.
Another restless toss in the cot, and he's facing Jessica, curled small and still beneath her own blankets. He can't see her face, just the shimmer of firelight on her hair, but he remembers blood, and trying to heal her but being far too disoriented to summon his magic, and then Marta bullying him into bed before he passed out again.
She's fine, of course; he's certain Marta wouldn't have left them alone had any of them been in danger. However, he doubts the old woman is a healer, and his mind feels clear enough, now, to heal whatever minor hurts Jessica might have. There's really no point in waiting until morning to tend her.
The chill eats into him as he crosses the few feet between them and kneels beside her, face almost level with hers. Her forehead is tidily bandaged, white against mottled purple; he winces in sympathy, brushes his fingers lightly over the cloth before removing it to reveal the ugly split beneath.
He casts his spell, watches the flesh close and bruising fade; only when no trace of the injury remains does he lower his gaze and find her watching him.
She shifts on the narrow cot, raises the blankets in invitation. "You're shivering," she says in answer to his questioning look, and he realizes he is.
For all the good reasons to refuse-not the least of which is the cot being too small for them both-he accepts the invitation, gathering her against him. She kisses him and settles her head on his shoulder, arm draped across his chest, fingers tangled lightly in his hair.
He listens to her breathing settle back into the steady rhythm of sleep, and the chill finally leaves his body.
Written for 101 Kisses. Theme: #26 - Windy Nights, #41 - Chill
