Sleepwalker

Chapter Thirty-Three: Frightening Feelings

In surprise, I nearly backed away, but my muscles no longer worked. My arms fell by my sides; my knees quaked, almost buckling. My eyelids dropped shut. My mind went blank of everything while he kissed me. The music drifted through my ears, the only informant of reality. Though I was not sure how to, I kissed him back.

He pulled back, still gently cupping my face and smiling. “Did you know that you have very light freckles across your nose?” He tapped them with the tip of his finger.

My lips tugged into a smile as I leaned up to kiss him again, as damnable as it was at a public event. I knotted my hands through his short and combed hair, mussing it. “Perfect,” I breathed against his soft lips. My heart thumped so hard that it nearly cracked my chest open. My hands no longer trembled. Desire and certainty fused, no longer distinguishable. His hands tilted my chin up while my own pulled his head down. When we disentangled, my face was hot. It burned with bashfulness. “Dill, I—”

“Don’t say anything,” he whispered. “You’ve no idea how long I’ve waited. And I thought maybe in Hans’ Haven, but you were cursed…and maybe Dunver, but you were so unsure…and now.” He paused. “Perfect.” His eyes glistened, pooling with tears.

“Are you crying? I did not think you would be so emotional about it.” Had I done something wrong? I ran a hand down his cheek, smooth from the recent shave.

“No, it’s these damn contact lenses. They burn.” He blinked and clutched at his eyes. “Do you think that we could—argh!” He waved his hands around. “The inn!”

People turned to stare at us. My cheeks grew redder with their quizzical glances. “Yes, let’s go before we cause a scene. Will you make it there okay?” I held his shoulders and led him out to the streets. “Here, let me see.” I pulled up one of his eyelids to study the crimson-streaked eye beneath it. “You should take them out right now.”

He forced his eye open, spreading it with two fingers. Delicately, he pulled out a clear circle and threw it to the ground. With a soft crack, it shattered. He repeated the process. “That was horrid. I am never going to wear those again. Glasses, it is.” He laced his fingers through mine. “Could you deal with that?” He asked.

For a moment, I flinched, wondering why he had asked my opinion until he kissed my cheek again. “Well, glasses are the latest fashion in Borrone, you know,” I said.

“You don’t say! We should get you a pair as well then. If your nightgown is any judge, I know you like to be fashionable.” He traced my waist with his hands.

I squirmed away, the constant touching more frightening than endearing. “Dill, I’m not sure I am ready for so much…contact.” When he stepped away, I breathed. “I’m sorry. I just do not want to move so quickly. And I couldn’t imagine…”

“You don’t have to say any more.” He folded his hands behind his back and walked into a building. “Could you guide me back to the tavern?” He groped at my wrist.

I grabbed his hand, relishing the feel of his rough palm on mine. I steered us back. Even with only the dim street lamps as a guide and the experience of a week or so, I easily navigated the streets. “You should have brought your glasses with you, you know.”

With a roll of his eyes, he sighed, “Yes, yes, I know. You can scold me later, Mother,” he teased. “Do you want to go out for a drink?” He asked. “I could use an ale.”

“Dill, we’ve been staying at a tavern. I think we can have a drink once we get back,” I reminded him. “I did not know you enjoyed drinking as much as you do.”

He shrugged, “It’s a social thing. I just wanted to chat with you. Then again, it might not be an engaging conversation. You cannot handle your liquor as well as I can.”