Evening came quickly. Once more, Elara hugged Lyra and secured her back to the bed. With Elara's bare chest pressed against her back, Lyra noticed the other woman's skin was colder than usual.
"I have a fever," Lyra pointed out weakly.
Elara frowned. She placed her palm on Lyra's forehead to check. Lyra only turned away, keeping her back to Elara once more.
"I feel tired. I want to rest," Lyra declared.
With a heavy sigh, Lyra squeezed her eyes shut.
Elara sat on the bed and watched Lyra's back. She reached out and grabbed the rope from the table to tie Lyra's wrist again. Once the knot was tight and secure, Elara laid down behind her. She wrapped her arms around Lyra like a trap.
Elara told many stories to Lyra, the woman she cherished.
Elara told her how well she knew Lyra's heart. She said she was going to create a whole world just for her. Elara promised that if there was no perfect place among all the mansions she owned, she would build a new one in Lyra's name.
