I feel her drift off to sleep, her body melting into mine. I use my magic to cover us in a warm blanket, unwilling to move away from her. I stare at the ceiling. Never have I felt like this, like that. I felt her power slide over me; like her, I saw it all -- her life, dreams, and wants. I felt her fear of forever, her fear that her human life would never be enough. I focus on the other realm, fascinated as our threads dance around each other, tighter and tighter they bind together.

I feel something inside me break free, something I had long believed dead, something I have refused to feel for a thousand years. Love. I love this wee shield-maiden, and it terrifies me. I know what I must do to save her and this world. The thing that lives within me doesn’t understand love, can’t feel love.

Hours have passed, and still I lie awake. She shudders in her sleep. Seconds later, a whimper escapes her slightly parted lips as her brow furrows. I tighten my arm around her, and she lashes out screaming in terror.

“Cora,” I say firmly, trying to wake her and pull her from the dream even as she fights and claws, trying to get away from whatever is hurting her. Sitting up, I move just far enough away that I’m out of reach of her arms. Unwilling to hurt her or let her hurt herself, I catch her hands in mine. “Cora!”

She chokes, coughing and sputtering as her head whips from side to side her eyes wide, pupils flared. I wait, finally her eyes focus on me, tears spilling over her lashes as they fill with shame. I shake my head. “No. None of that.” Pulling her close, I wrap her in my arms, and she climbs into my lap holding onto me tightly. Her heart pounds, and a fine sheen of sweat coats her skin. She trembles as her tears streak down my chest. “You can tell me.” She shakes her head. “Did they…” I can’t finish as I see red.

“No. Nothing like that.” Her voice is low. I feel like an asshole for the anger; this isn’t about me.

“Okay, no talking. What about the springs again? This time, I will let you actually relax.” I feel her smile against my skin. She unwinds her arms from around me, moving away. Her face is red, but the terror is gone from her silver eyes.

“Thank you,” she murmurs as she slides over to the side of the bed, swinging her legs over then standing.

“For what?”

“Not pressing the issue.” I nod once before standing and moving to the door, opening it to the night. She moves by me in silence, but her hand catches mine, threading her fingers through my own as she walks out into the moonlight. I can’t take my eyes off the sensual sway of her hips as she walks uninhibited down the path.

As we climb into the water, I manifest candles all around the pool and fill the air with the scent of magnolias. Her smile lights up as she gets the first scent of home. My chest tightens as I have a fleeting thought of what is to come. I push it away for now as she glides through the water toward me.

“Relaxing, remember?” I warn. She chuckles as she turns, placing her back against my chest, her hands coming up around my neck.

She tilts her head to the side, looking up at me. “I find you very relaxing.” Pulling me down and herself up, she kisses me - slow tasting, an exploration and a declaration that I let myself drown in.