Varden lay her down on the bed, worried about her. She… she was divine. Yet… she was an elf. And a thief-catcher.
He worried about her. Not that he would ever let her know. She scared him sometimes, and he thought he probably scared her every once in a while as well.
If she died because of that bastard elf they'd been chasing all this while… a large part of him would die as well. He couldn't stand it. It was almost as bad as the thought that a large part of his heart had been given over to her.
… Hell, all of his heart. She had taken it without even knowing it, more stealthily and more skillfully than any pickpocket could even hope to be.
The only difference he could find was that he didn't know if he had lost it, or if they shared it now – or if she even wanted it.
If Acheron and Neirenn were gone, he would have kissed her. Acheron had healed her somehow – it felt weird to say it, but Thank the Gods for magic! It was the one time it was especially useful.
He made small talk with Acheron and Neirenn, mainly listening to their conversation. Lei'ella was asleep on the bed next to him. He looked over at her lovingly, and Neirenn caught his attention out of the corner of his eye.
Damn. She knows now.
He closed his eyes for a second, trying to come up with an explanation that wouldn't be so… emotional. But Neirenn must have either fully understood or fully misunderstood, because she was dragging Acheron out even as he was trying to come up with a non-she-stole-my-heart reason behind the look.
… 'Cause everyone knows that badasses don't love. No, never.
He looked over as she woke up. He could tell, even though he wasn't watching.
The room just… lit up.