140

Nerthus

I jerk up panicky, blinking into the dark as Arawn’s strong hands hold my arms soothingly, making me calm down right away.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t want to startle you,” he whispers. “Are you alright?”

He seems to be able to look right into my soul as he lays his hand on my cheek, disintegrating the uncomfortable pins that Francis left on my skin.

“Yes,” I whisper back, leaning into his touch as I get onto my knees to feel him closer.

I can’t even remember how I got into bed, and I still seem to be fully clothed which is stupid as it will make him sense that something is wrong right away.

“You didn’t pick up your phone. You know that I don’t like that,” he murmurs gently as he gets my jacket off me. “Are you sure that you are feeling alright?”

I nod, stretching my arms into the air to help him slip my pullover off. “I was just so tired that I crashed right away. I’m sorry that I didn’t answer your calls.”

“Don’t worry,” he says, studying my face. “It’s good that you slept