Heiko’s breaths were steady now, his forehead resting gently against River’s. His arms, still strong and firm, now held her with a rare tenderness. The wild hunger had subsided, replaced by something softer, more grounded.
He kissed the top of her head and then moved slowly, carefully. Without saying a word, he scooped her up into his arms, mindful of her body as he carried her out of the water. River leaned against his chest, her eyes fluttering closed for a moment, her limbs relaxed and warm from both the spring and his touch.
He placed her gently on the thick blanket they had brought, arranged in a soft patch near the cave wall. The stone beneath had warmed from the nearby springs, and the air, though cooler now, was no match for what Heiko did next.
He walked to the pile of dry wood
