The Gift of Dreams

chapter IX

Thick trees gave way and Eloise spotted a small village in the distance. Her legs wobbled at the thought of rest, a soft bed, and food warm enough to soothe her stomach.

"Don't expect to get too comfortable. We're only passing through." Rowan said beside her. He must have recognised the desperate hunger and exhaustion in her eyes.

Although Eloise knew arguing was futile, she couldn't help but protest. "Oh but please, I'm so tired." She clasped her hands together and made her bottom lip wobble on command. "Please, Rowan." His body straightened at the sound of his name leaving her mouth and he turned to face away from her.

Eloise knew she had gotten to him as he let out a great sigh. "Fine. I'll find something for us to eat. But in the meantime please stay out of sight." He strode into the village before she could get another word out. One thing she knew though, is that she would not stay back. No, she would follow him. It may not have been the brightest of Eloise's ideas, seeing as the events that followed had undesirable consequences.

As she slipped undetected into the crowd of people by the outskirts she prayed to the Saints that shifting would work on buildings as well. Please, please, please let this work she chanted to herself as she weaved through the mass of townspeople.

"Hey, watch where you're going!" A large man carrying a crate of potatoes stumbled into the side of Eloise, sending his wares flying across the cobbles. Townspeople grunted and a child yelled in pain as a rogue potato hit him between the eyes. Eloise slipped soundlessly into a nearby alley at the same moment the shopkeeper started to furiously search for the culprit. Her palms were slick against the folds of her clothes and black invaded the corners of her vision. The bricks provided no support for Eloise when her legs collapsed from weakness. Neither did they help as she lay, concealed from the world, slipping into a dangerous sleep.

***

"Eloise? Eloise!" Rough hands shook her shoulders hard, making her head throb and her eyes roll open. Rowan was leaning over her, dark curls and green eyes merely inches away from her own face. If the concern in his expression had not mixed with anger Eloise could have mistaken him for caring for her.

Maybe he was only worried about the mission to save the others. Maybe.

Or maybe he truly was concerned for her-

"Eloise you must get up, we have to go. Now." All previous thoughts disappeared quickly at his words.

"I'm terribly sorry to have inconvenienced you by losing consciousness." She met his eyes, "I'll try not to next time." Her tone dripped with sarcasm and disdain as she hauled herself from the ground.

Rowan's hands ran through his wild hair, "This would have been so much easier if you had just stayed where I told you to." He paced along the wall of the alley, murmuring to himself in a hushed tone. "Screw it."

One moment Eloise was on the ground and the next she was being swept off her feet by Rowan. Again. His arms tightened around her frame to keep her from falling, warmth seeping into her skin from his touch. "What are you doing?" Eloise asked him.

"Stopping you from doing something utterly stupid." Rowan turned and made towards the opposite end of the alley, Eloise jolting with every step he took.

"That's not fair. Put me down." She hit his arm when no answer came. "I said put me down." Eloise continued.

"No." The simplicity of his response struck her and more stray punches landed on his back.

"Why? Just- here is fine. Please." Eloise gestured to a bench just outside of a small secondhand bookshop. He let up and planted her feet on the ground to the left of him, not bothering to wait before he was moving again.