The Winter Phoenix (WAYHAUGHT)

I'm f-f-fine

Waverly leaned over the water to grab the mooring rope. "You must be freezing."

"I'm f-f-fine," Nicole replied. "N-n-not sure how to g-get out."

"The water is shallow. Step over the side." Nicole stood up, which rocked the boat, which sent her into the water for a second dunking of the day. Waverly's infectious laugh and the joy in her eyes had Nicole laughing too. "Come, you will be ill if you remain in those clothes. Come."

She dripped her way along a narrow path to the cabin, shivering as she stayed by the door, a large puddle forming at her feet as she held back. Waverly's hands tugged at the end of her soaked tunic. "I'm f-f-f-fine...j-j-just n-n-need to st-st-stand here."

"My love, you need to remove those wet clothes," Waverly insisted, removing her own cloak and boots. "I have a blanket you can wear while they dry."

"R-r-really, it's f-f-fine."

"My love," she said again, those two words warming Nicole's heart. "The cold is your enemy." She continued to tug at the soaking top.

Icy hands touched Waverly's. "W-w-why are you being k-k-kind to me? After what I did."

Waverly stepped back, her face now wearing a quizzical look. "You are not to blame for any of this. Please, I beg you, take off your clothes. For me."

"But...but, your parents. S-s-serpents."

"My parents are in hiding."

"Thank f-f-fuck for that."

"The soothsayer warned me. I told as many as I could. Some chose to stay. The ones who would not listen."

Nicole began shivering uncontrollably, allowing Waverly to yank the tunic from her body without further resistance. Fingers found the top of her breeches. "Whoa!"

"It is strange you being shy in my presence" Waverly said, fighting to release the first button. "I had forgotten you could be like this." She grabbed a blanket from the bed, holding it out. "Here, before you get too cold. I promise not to look."

With Waverly's back to her, Nicole removed the rest of her clothes, the woollen material welcome against her skin. She watched while Waverly squeezed as much water as she could from the tunic, hanging it on a drying rack above the wood burner, droplets hissing as they hit hot metal.

"You might be warmer in bed," Waverly suggested, scooping Nicole's tee-shirt off the pile on the floor to repeat the process.

Nicole's mouth fell open ever so slightly. "In...in bed."

"I need to get you warm."

"F-feeling pretty warm r-right now."

"I will be the judge of that," Waverly replied. "Hold out your hands."

Nicole held out her right, the left gripping the ends of the blanket in case she revealed too much. She heard Waverly's tut, saw her point to the bed, watched as she returned to the task of ridding the lake from her clothes. Nicole remained where she was. You're adorable. I mean, of course you're adorable. Very bossy though, which is adorable. Wynonna was right, you do have a way about you. "Why are you here?" she asked, the feeling slowly returning to her fingers. "Why did you not go with your parents?"

"I would have gone. I needed to stay to give them time to esca..." Waverly's words trailed off, hanging the tee-shirt on the rack. "At least they are out of harm."

Nicole's jaw relaxed a little more as warmth travelled to her face. "This cabin offers little protection. Anyone could get to you here. If they can row that is."