She hummed in contentment and he knew that come morning, she wouldn’t remember his words at all.
* * *
Something heavy sat across Etta’s chest as she woke on the cold stone floor. Sunlight streamed in through the door, illuminating Alex’s sleeping form next to her. She let herself relax into his hold for a moment, remembering the times before he’d found out her true identity. They’d cared about each other, but that wasn’t enough.
Slowly, she slid out from under his arm and the cloak that was wrapped around them both. She smoothed her braid as she walked toward the door to look out. It was early enough that the smith wasn’t yet in his shop, but they didn’t have long.
Rubbing her arms for warmth, she walked back over to Alex and nudged him with her foot. He grumbled and rolled over. She
