The Floodlands And I never dreamed that I'd lose somebody like you

Ulrich was relieved to know that his body heat was helping her, though if he thought too hard about being pressed so closely to Adylaide, it made him feel uncomfortable flutterings in his stomach. He was not used to being so close to a woman--which Adylaide certainly was now. She was no longer the cub he had met years before.

He felt her press against him harder than she was already doing and followed her gaze to the clump of trees. How had he missed those? He must have been so caught up in his worry for her that he had not noticed... Stupid. Good, he said, aloud. We can stop there. Probably it will not be entirely dry, but in this place, we must take what we can get. Come on, now. And he guided her the rest of the way to the trees, his shoulder pressed into her, trying to catch her if she stumbled anymore.

After what seemed several minutes, they finally arrived at the group of trees. The ground here was spongy and still wet, but it was not underwater. This will do, he said, though his mouth was a grim line. He would have preferred somewhere completely dry, though that wish was not to be. Rest, he told her, and sat down heavily himself.