\u201cBeen any change?\u201d<\/p>\n
Jacqueline looked up from the book in her lap toward Phelan, then at Thordin, who lay sleeping in the bed in front of her. She shook her head slowly. \u201cNo,\u201d she said. \u201cNo change. Just sleeps.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAt least he\u2019s still breathing,\u201d Phelan said, resting his hands on her shoulders, following her gaze toward his sleeping friend. \u201cThat\u2019s something.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jacqueline sighed, leaning her head back and resting it against his chest. \u201cYeah. Sif\u2019s been in and out. I told her to get some rest. Being ragged isn\u2019t going to help.\u201d<\/p>\n
Phelan nodded. \u201cGood.\u201d He squeezed his lover\u2019s shoulders and leaned down to kiss her. She captured his lips and wouldn\u2019t let him go for a moment, despite the awkward positioning.<\/p>\n
He blinked at her when she broke off the kiss. \u201cWhat was that for?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cJust glad it wasn\u2019t you this time,\u201d she said softly. \u201cI wanted you to know that.\u201d<\/p>\n
He smiled weakly at her, feeling a pang of guilt. He still hadn\u2019t quite recovered from the magic he\u2019d called while they were out there on the frozen lake, still hadn\u2019t realized what the consequences of his actions might be.<\/p>\n
She\u2019s right, though. It could have been me. For once, it wasn\u2019t, but it just as easily could have been, and it might be next time.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cWhat did you guys talk about up at the forge?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHow did you know I was there?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBecause you smell like smoke.\u201d Jacqueline shot him a playful grin. \u201cAnd you\u2019ve got that look. What\u2019s going on now?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe were just talking about Thom and Cameron\u2019s impending trip, that\u2019s all.\u201d Phelan leaned against her chair. \u201cJ.T. is going with them.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know you know,\u201d he said. \u201cThey don\u2019t like it\u2014Cameron, mostly. He doesn\u2019t like that Seamus is going, either.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSeamus is going?\u201d<\/p>\n Phelan nodded. Jacqueline watched him for a few long moments.<\/p>\n \u201cMarin saw something, didn\u2019t she?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes,\u201d Phelan whispered. \u201cYes, she did.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" \u201cBeen any change?\u201d Jacqueline looked up from the book in her lap toward Phelan, then at Thordin, who lay sleeping in the bed in front of her. She shook her head slowly. \u201cNo,\u201d she said. \u201cNo change. Just sleeps.\u201d \u201cAt … Continue reading