Spin the Dawn(76)

I coiled the ribbon of light over the blades and forced it into Edan’s walnut. Underwater, the task was harder than with the sunlight. My breath leaked out of me, the bubbles gurgling to the surface.

No one can rescue you, Maia.

Above, I saw Edan’s hawk form fluttering over the water.

At last, I sealed the nut and swam up. As I broke the surface, my lungs exploded with a gasp. Each breath was like inhaling ice. If I didn’t get out, I would be dead.

I kicked the water. It felt thick, and every kick wearied me, the ice lacing into my bloodstream. I stretched out my arms, reaching for something to hold. A rock, an icicle—anything.

Frost bloomed over my lashes, forcing my eyes shut. I was so cold I couldn’t see and I couldn’t feel. But at last something blocked my way. The edge of the pool, surrounded by rocks. I gripped one as tightly as I could, dragging my legs up onto the stony bank.

I had never been so cold. My skin was blue-gray, the moisture in the corners of my eyes hard as ice.

Edan wrapped his wings around my chest, which helped, but it wasn’t enough to thaw the cold in me. With trembling fingers, I reached into my tunic for the sunlight, and I clutched it to my heart.



* * *



? ? ?

I didn’t know how long I languished on the cave floor. When my eyes fluttered open again, it was snowing outside. My body was cocooned in warmth, hot tea steaming by my side.

And Edan was human.

He lay beside me, his arms bare and wrapped tightly around me, his powerful shoulders casting shadows behind him. Both our cloaks were draped over me, and I was wearing his tunic—a realization that made me draw in a sharp breath, even though I was too cold to care.

He let go of me quickly, but I wished he hadn’t. The warmth of his touch washed away and I shivered uncontrollably.

“You fell asleep,” he said, sounding stern yet worried.

I sat up, poking my hands out of the coverings to reach for the tea. “Y-you m-m-make it—it sound…like a—a c-c-crime.”

A fire burned, my clothes and enchanted shoes drying next to the flames. Edan’s magic tablecloth was out, a small square anchored by a steaming pot of stew. The aroma of garlic, star anise, and mutton sharpened my hunger.

Edan was already scooping some into a bowl for me. “Has anyone ever told you that you talk in your sleep?” he said. “It’s adorable.”

My cheeks warmed, and I peeled off his cloak. “What did I say?”

“Mostly you babbled nonsense, but there were a couple of outbursts of ‘Edan, Edan, Edan.’?” He passed me the bowl and grinned. “I take it you were dreaming about me.”

“Y-y-you wish,” I retorted between bites. “I didn’t dream about anything.”

He clutched his heart. “Oh, well, that’s devastating to hear.”

I rolled my eyes, but I was used to his teasing by now. “Ar-ar-aren’t you c-c-cold?”

“Not while I’m near you.” When I blushed, Edan drew back, as if remembering my earlier outburst. He kept a small distance between us and cocked his head at the modest fire he’d made. “The fire helps. And I can bear it easier than you. I am an enchanter, after all.”

Still, there were goose bumps on his bare arms, the dark hairs standing on end. I scuttled closer to him and wrapped his cloak over his shoulder. Our arms touched, and he didn’t move away. “I—I think I like you better when y-y-you’re a bird,” I joked. I inhaled, taking in his scent. “Your enchanter form is obnoxious.”

“Don’t get too used to it,” Edan returned, but I heard the anxiety in his voice. “I look forward to my full powers returning once we’re back.”

We sat in comfortable silence, me sipping my tea, Edan observing the snowfall outside. “We’ll have to wait out the snow before we descend the peak,” he said. “Some rest will be good for you.”

“I’m not tired,” I lied in protest. The air stung my throat even before the words formed. My teeth chattered once more, and I folded my body inward and scooted closer to the flames. I tried again: “I j-just slept. I’m n-not t-t-tired.”

Edan took my cold hands. He rubbed them, transferring back some of that heat I’d already begun to miss. Then he breathed into my palms. It felt nice, the warmth of his lips on my skin.

“Liar,” he whispered. “Of course you’re tired. You were swimming in a freezing pool. Your body’s in shock.”

He drew me to him, enveloping me with his warmth. I wanted to push him away, but my body drank in his heat, my arm instinctively hooking under his. When I noticed what I’d done, I tried to pull back. But he tilted my chin and kissed me. Heat flooded me from my lips to my toes, and my heart hammered, its beat rushing and skipping to my head.

I opened my mouth, only for Edan to stifle my words by kissing me again. I didn’t stop him, but I tried to get a word in. “I told you I’m not—”

“Shhh,” he said, brushing my lips with his. “Sleep.”

I leaned into him, resting my head against his chest. His pulse skipped, a sound that sent a shock wave of thrills jolting through me. He wrapped a warm arm over my waist and pulled me closer.

He fell asleep first. I listened to him breathing, in and out, in and out. A rhythm I matched even without knowing it.