Sequoia Coast passionfruit

She had withdrawn to rub at her eyes when he spoke! Then fixed him with a look of startled wonder, which became a smile and a shake to her head. To express further that he was here and safe and alive Wilwarin lavished him with careful kisses of her tongue, and pressed her forehead to a part of him that wasn't bruised or battered.

It was neither the first nor the last time she found herself wishing she held words; but she had to do her best to communicate without them, and knew she could do it if the man was patient enough. He looked frightful, and frightened, and so she would be extra careful.

Alive! He was alive! Glad as she was, she isn't sure how it is possible with her cobbled together magics of half-learned plant lore; but perhaps what was most important was not her efforts, but that of the man and his survival instinct.