Flight of Frost and Aurora

Chapter 17

As they approached the house, Charlotte's heart pounded with anxiety. Alastor needed warmth, and she had to clean his wound quickly. She glanced around to ensure the coast was clear before leading him to the back entrance—a small door that opened directly into the kitchen.

"Stay close and be quiet," she whispered, carefully opening the door. The hinges creaked softly, and she hoped the sound wouldn't disturb anyone inside. Motioning for Alastor to enter first, he stepped inside, dripping wet and shivering.

Once inside, Charlotte quickly followed and closed the door behind them, sealing out the cold night air. The kitchen was dimly lit by a few embers still glowing in the fireplace, casting flickering shadows across the room.

"Sit by the fire," she instructed, guiding him to the hearth. Alastor obeyed, sinking into a chair while cradling his injured arm, grimacing as he did so.

"Are you sure we won't get caught?" he asked, his voice low but filled with concern.

"I think we'll be fine. Everyone is asleep," she replied, trying to sound more confident than she felt. She knelt by the fire, carefully coaxing the embers to life by adding a few small logs. The flames danced and crackled, and warmth began to fill the room, enveloping them both in a comforting glow.

"Thank you, Charlotte," Alastor said softly, his gaze fixed on the fire. "But you shouldn't have jumped in after me. It was dangerous."

"I couldn't just leave you!" she exclaimed, her voice tinged with worry. "You would have drowned or frozen to death. Now, let me see your arm."

He hesitated for a moment but then slowly lifted his sleeve, revealing the gash on his forearm. It was a shallow cut, but it was bleeding and looked painful. Charlotte's heart sank at the sight, knowing she had to tend to it quickly.

"Alright, I need to get some supplies," she said, standing up and moving toward the small cupboard where they kept bandages and herbs for minor injuries. She opened the door and rummaged through the various jars and cloths, her hands shaking slightly as she searched for what she needed.

"Here it is," she said, pulling out a clean cloth and a small jar of herbal salve. She returned to Alastor's side and knelt down again, the warmth of the fire radiating around them.

"Just hold still," she instructed gently as she began to clean the wound. She dabbed at the cut with the cloth, trying to be as gentle as possible. Alastor winced slightly but remained silent, his eyes focused on the fire.

"I'm sorry about everything," he said quietly. "Tonight wasn't much fun, was it?"

"Oh no!" she disagreed, a smile breaking through her earlier worry. "It was amazing! I had a great time!"

"Really?"

"Really!" Charlotte insisted, her smile widening. "I mean, aside from the whole near-drowning part, it was exhilarating! I've never done anything like that before."

After finishing cleaning the wound, she gently applied the herbal salve, her fingers brushing against his skin once more. "You're going to be alright. This will help with the pain and keep it from getting infected."

"Thank you," he said, flexing his arm carefully. "It feels much better already."

As Alastor sat there, the firelight flickering across his face, Charlotte couldn't help but be captivated by him. His strong jawline, and the way his dark hair fell slightly across his forehead gave him a rugged handsomeness that made her heart flutter. The warmth of the fire enhanced the contours of his features, casting shadows that seemed to bring him to life in a way she hadn't fully appreciated before.