Chapter Seventy-one (The Hidden Trauma)

Eirika's eyes darted in their sockets as Arric returned her scrutiny. He cupped her face, gently stroking her cheeks.

"Hold me," she said in a low pleading tone. He drew her immediately into his arms and buried his nose in her hair to draw in her scent.

"You are so beautiful, " he whispered. Eirika smiled, tightening her hold around him. When he drew back slightly from her to peer down into her eyes and added, "And I think that separation thing was a terrible idea."

Eirika giggled, adoring him with her eyes. "You didn't send Bishop to get me though…"

"I heard you were doing great. I didn't want to be the weak link." He grinned. Eirika laughed.

"Trust me if I was hundred percent certain you were missing me as much, I would have come to you," she said. Arric’s smile brightened. And that made her realize what she had confessed. Her cheeks burned and she lowered her gaze. Arric placed a finger under her chin to make her look back up into his eyes.

"I couldn't sleep so I joined