Chapter 48. Comfort in the Cold

BELLE

Elijah moved gently, removing his arms from around me. I whimpered quietly as even the slightest movement caused searing pain in my body. He stood and took off the sweatshirt he was wearing so now he was only in his pajama bottoms, a shirt, and soaking wet slippers.

He handed the sweatshirt to me. “Here. Put this on.”

I moved slowly but with determination and, with the help of Elijah, was able to get the piece of clothing over my shaking form.

“Thank you,” I said to him. I hadn’t even realized how cold I was until his sweatshirt, still warm from his body heat, was wrapped around me like a comforting hug.

Elijah nodded. He crouched down next to me. “Okay, so here’s what’s going to happen now,” he said in a calming voice. “You’re going to stay right here and try to get control over your body and emotions. It’s going to be hard but you need to do it in order to face what comes next. Take deep calming breaths and try to think not about you-know-who,”