Blood Ward

Chapter 30

I don't remember actually fallingasleep, but when I woke, I was sandwiched between Anders, who was inhis favorite position with his hand and head resting on my stomach,(The hand was slid up under my shirt so his skin was touching mine.)and Reif who'd slung an arm just above Anders' head over my chest. Hewas lying on his stomach and the leg closer to me was pinning mine. Ilooked over and saw my arm was acting as his pillow. I could feel myhand was twined with Stefan's on Reif's other side. I had no ideawhat time it was and I was completely pinned down, so I settled backdown to wait until they woke. I felt contentment. It felt foreign.Whatever Anders had done, I could feel it working. My heart feltlight for the first time in weeks. I sighed happily, feeling a smilespread across my face.

Apparently, my sigh had disturbedAnders because his hand slid over my skin, burying it deeper under myshirt. I picked my arm up from above my head and gently laid my handon his back. "I hope that's yourhand, little warrior." I could hear the joking smile in hisvoice without having to see it.

I snickered quietly, trying notto wake the others. "Yes it's me," I whispered.

"Shh," he said and Ifelt a warm pulse come from the hand on my stomach. He didn't sayanything for a few minutes, and then he whispered, "Your auralooks much better."

"I feelmuch better," I admitted.

"I'm glad. You had meworried," he said turning his head to kiss my stomach through myshirt, and then look up at me. "Oh look, a smile! A realone, too." he looked pleased.

"Impressed?" I askedfeeling my old easy, teasing tone sneaking into my voice.

"Ha! I am now," hesaid, recognizing the tone.

"It's thanks to you," Isaid, the smile spreading.

"Oh? Do I get a reward?"he asked teasingly.

"Do the rest of us need tovacate the premises?" Reif asked, his eyes still closed, causingme to let out an embarrassingly girlish yelp of surprise.

Anders laughed. "Don'tfrighten the poor girl," he scolded Reif, whose beautiful lilaceyes finally opened and landed sleepily on me.

"Any dreams?" he asked,ignoring Anders' chiding.

I shook my head. "All clear,dark oblivion," I said excitedly.

"And your mood?"Stefan's head popped up from over Reif's shoulder.

"Improved," I saidgiving even him a smile.

"It feels late," Stefanpushed himself up, letting go of my hand. He found his shirt andpulled it back on.

I lifted my head and pulled myarm, causing Reif to have to raise his head so I could get it back."Okay, Everyone up," I laughed, my other hand playfullypushing Anders' head off my stomach.

Anders rolled onto his back andstretched languidly. I watched with rapt attention, biting my lip. Heglanced up at me, his bright green eyes catching the light as he gaveme a knowing smile. "Those are bedroom eyes, Ana," hescolded, teasingly.

I looked away, but not withoutpouting a little bit. "We should find out how much daylightwe've already wasted," I suggested, sitting up.

Reif pushed himself up much likeStefan had and Anders sat up as well. "We have an audience,"Reif said as he pulled on his shirt.

I reached out and pushed asidethe tent flap to reveal all of our companions sitting around theburned out fire. Beast was lying right in front of the tent, his faceresting on his paws, and staring up at me like I hadn't fed him indays. He whimpered and belly crawled toward me.