Sequoia Coast passionfruit

She had stayed with him. Even when her belly ached. Even when she thought she had failed. Perhaps she did not help him after all - he was feverish and damaged beyond what Wilwarin felt capable of treating - and so her caretaking was also a vigil. Nobody deserved such pain; nobody deserved to be abandoned in their hour of need.

When he woke, she was startled but did not rise up as the urge struck her. Feeling stuck now, wedged against him for warmth and protection, her eyes red-rimmed and weepy. Her instinct to run was filtered through this tiredness, and the delay softened her reaction.

Instead of running Wilwarin reached out to prove she was right there; she had done this a few times now when he had fussed or struggled. She cleaned his brow and tried to ease his suffering, not yet certain that he was truly awake - because she wasn't sure of that for herself.