{"id":1117,"date":"2012-03-07T00:00:10","date_gmt":"2012-03-07T05:00:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/?p=1117"},"modified":"2012-03-06T22:18:25","modified_gmt":"2012-03-07T03:18:25","slug":"chapter-5-02","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/?p=1117","title":{"rendered":"Autumn – Chapter 5 – 02"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Kes squeezed his knee and stood up.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cIf Elton said she\u2019d be okay, Gray, she will be.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Gray grunted slightly and his head dipped toward his chest.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>A moment later, a soft snore escaped him.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Kes smiled faintly and snagged an extra blanket from the end of Eva\u2019s cot.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cSweet dreams, Gray,\u201d she murmured as she covered him with the blanket.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>She turned back to Eva afterward and adjusted the blankets over the sleeping woman.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Eva stirred slightly, a soft groan escaping her.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cShh,\u201d Kes said softly, smoothing the blankets with a gentle touch.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cYou\u2019ll wake Gray.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cIs he finally sleeping?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Eva whispered, rolling gingerly onto her side, tucking one arm beneath her pillow.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Her eyes were sunken into deep, shadowed hollows, her voice thin and soft.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Kes nodded.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cHow long have you been awake?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cOnly a minute or two.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Every time I start to wake up, though, he\u2019s here.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>The corner of her mouth quirked upward in a smile.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cThen I\u2019d hear him or see him through my lashes and know I was safe so I\u2019d just end up dropping right back off again.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>I haven\u2019t felt <\/span>safe<\/span><\/em> in a long time.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Kes smiled briefly.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cGray can have that effect.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>She glanced back over her shoulder at Gray, who was still snoring softly, before she looked back at Eva.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI think he likes you.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Eva laughed a weak little laugh.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cHe barely knows me, though I appreciate the trust and the sanctuary.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cAre you going to stay long enough for us to know you?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Kes asked, sitting down cross-legged on the wooden floor.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWell, you guys haven\u2019t burned me as a witch yet,\u201d Eva said, closing her eyes again.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI think that bodes well for me staying at least a little while.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Until the snows, something.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Kes blinked.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cYou wouldn\u2019t leave once the snow flies, would you?<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>That\u2019d be crazy.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Suicidal, even.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI never told you I was <\/span>sane<\/span><\/em>,\u201d Eva murmured, eyes still closed.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>She tugged at her blankets, hauling them carefully up over her shoulder and curling in on herself with a slight wince.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cEva, please don\u2019t do that.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cDo what?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWander out into the snow and wind, when it comes.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Stay with us here.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Kes shook her head slightly.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cIt\u2019d be safer for you.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWe\u2019ll see,\u201d Eva said softly, starting to drift again.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Kes touched her elbow.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cEva?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>She shifted uncomfortably on the cot.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cMmm?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cYou keep saying the name Teague in your sleep,\u201d Kes said softly.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cGray told me.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>I know you mentioned him before, but who is he, really?<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Someone important?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Eva let out a weak little laugh.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cHe thinks he is.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Maybe he\u2019s right.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Her eyes flicked open again.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI was saying his name in my sleep?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cA lot, Gray said.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Her brows knit briefly.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI must have been dreaming,\u201d Eva said softly, eyes focusing distantly for a moment.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cYou don\u2019t remember your dreams?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cNot always,\u201d Eva said.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cNot the past few.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>They must not have been that remarkable.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>She tried to smother a yawn.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cUngh.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Good-night, Kes.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cGood-night, Eva,\u201d Kes whispered, then got up.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Eva was asleep before she\u2019d ever turned her back. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u2022<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u2022<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Neve sat out on the porch of the cottage, hugging her knees against her chest and staring out into the sunset.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>She felt like she was suffocating whenever she was inside, with the cottage turned into a cavern somewhere in hell by heavy curtains and a roaring fire.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 It\u2019s my fault.<\/em>\u00a0 <\/span>A muscle in her jaw twitched as she rested her chin against her knees.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>I should have been closer.\u00a0 <\/span>I shouldn\u2019t have pretended to leave at the border crossing.<\/span><\/em>\u00a0 <\/span>Self-recriminations flitted through her brain like fireflies on a summer evening, burning bright and then disappearing only to reappear a few moments later.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>The cottage door squeaked open softly and after a few seconds, Kira sat down next to her on the porch and nudged her elbow gently with a mug of something steaming.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Neve unwrapped chilled fingers from around her elbows and took the mug slowly.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cYou\u2019ve been out here a long time,\u201d Kira said softly.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI thought you could use a hot drink.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Neve nodded silently, curling her fingers around the mug.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>The fragrance of Irish Breakfast filled her nostrils and eased some of the tension in her shoulders.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI just needed to come outside,\u201d Neve said quietly.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cIt\u2019s so hot in there and so dark.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>I just needed to breathe some fresh air.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>And stop staring at Cameron.\u00a0 <\/span>It\u2019s my fault.<\/span><\/em><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI know how you feel,\u201d Kira said, sliding her arm around Neve\u2019s shoulders.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cIt\u2019s like something out of Dante\u2019s <\/span>Inferno<\/span><\/em> in there.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>I told your brother that if he doesn\u2019t bank that fire, I\u2019m sleeping in the barn tonight.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Neve laughed weakly.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cReally?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Kira nodded.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI know that it might be slightly less comfortable for Lieutenant MacKenzie, but maybe the discomfort will make him want to wake up instead of continuing to sleep.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>There\u2019s no reason the rest of us should be suffering, too.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cYou sound like Phelan.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Kira smirked.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI learned that from Phelan.\u201d <\/span>\u00a0<\/span>She slid her arm around Neve\u2019s shoulders.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Neve leaned into Kira\u2019s chest, a little more tension draining away.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cIt\u2019s not your fault, Neve.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cYeah it is,\u201d Neve whispered.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cBut thanks for telling me it\u2019s not.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Kira squeezed her gently.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cAnytime.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Kes squeezed his knee and stood up.\u00a0 \u201cIf Elton said she\u2019d be okay, Gray, she will be.\u201d \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Gray grunted slightly and his head dipped toward his chest.\u00a0 A moment later, a soft snore escaped him.\u00a0 Kes smiled faintly … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[38,35,43,14,39],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1117","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-autumn","category-book-2","category-chapter-5-book-2","category-story","category-year-one"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p1EBlN-i1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1117","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1117"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1117\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1119,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1117\/revisions\/1119"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1117"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1117"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1117"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}