Nathan took the cotton swab from her with hisrger hand.


    He gently applied the ointment, careful not to cause her any more difort.


    Half-turning, Lucinda caught a glimpse of his eyes, slightly red in the dim light, and said softly, “It doesn’t hurt too much.


    I’m not that fragile; it’s just that you all think I am.


    ”


    Her soft fingers gently smoothed away the furrow in Nathan’s brow.


    Nathan remained silent.


    After a long pause, he finished applying the ointment and cleared his throat.


    “That should do it.


    ”


    Then, he leaned in to ki*s her forehead gently and murmured, “I’m going to take a shower in the small bathroom.


    ”


    Lucinda nodded in response.


    Hearing the sound of running water from the bathroom, Lucinday on her side in the bed, and before she realized it, she drifted off into a dream.


    It waste at night.


    Lucinda felt a coolness on her back and instinctively shifted to the side, reaching out to embrace her husband, but her hand found only the cold sheets.


    She was groggy for just a few moments before snapping awake.


    The space on the other side of the bed was empty, devoid of any residual warmth.


    ‘s BunnyBookery


    Where had Nathan gone?


    He had been showering before she fell asleep.


    It waste, and the room was engulfed in darkness.


    Her eyes roamed until they adjusted to the ckness, and then she spotted a tall silhouette on the small balcony.


    “Honey?” she called out softly, her voice thick with sleep.


    “What’s wrong, dear? Did you have a nightmare?” Nathan responded, his tone as tender as ever, yet he remained where he was.


    Lucinda quickly rose from the bed, wrapping a thin nket around her and padding across the cold hospital floor tiles.


    She approached him and asked softly, “It’s chilly tonight.


    Why aren’t you in bed? Is something bothering you?”


    There was no reply.


    Lucinda had noticed that Nathan had been preupied ever since they returned from the mountains, but she hadn’t expected that he would also be restless at night.


    “Are you thinking about what happened today?”N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.


    She approached Nathan and wrapped the thin nket around both of them.


    Like a gentle kitten, she nestled her head against his broad, sturdy chest and wrapped her slender, pale arms around him.


    The moonlight was crisp and bright, illuminating them with a silvery glow.


    Noticing his troubled expression, Lucinda feltpelled to ask, “Is it the pain from your arm injury keeping you awake? Or did something happen at Bright Mountain that you haven’t told me about? Ever since you descended from the mountain, your behavior has been quite odd, as if someone had cast a spell on you.


    ”