These Quiet Moments

She could barely sense the moment he'd applied the poultice to her wound, so deft was his touch. The cooling sensation of the aloe mixed with agrimony replaced the earlier sting, and Mariah released a tense breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. She watched with rapt attention as Caedes masterfully wrapped the cloth around her wound, securing it in place with a gentleness that spoke volumes about his care for her. His emerald eyes remained focused on his work, but there was an undeniable intensity in his gaze. "Thank you," she murmured softly, her voice barely audible amidst the rustling leaves around them. The gratitude in her voice was heartfelt, but also twinged with a certain frailty. She gingerly moved her arm, testing the range of motion under the freshly placed bandages. The careful craftsmanship of Caedes' work was evident in the ease of movement she felt. "Couldn’t have done a better job myself," she added quietly, her eyes meeting his for a fleeting moment before trailing off to their surroundings. The forest around them seemed to hold its breath, waiting, watching, silent.

"Mariah Mendacium"