Alina woke slowly. The library was dark, and rain still tapped softly against the windows, though the storm had already passed.
She felt warm, comfortable and safer than she had in a long time. Then, her eyes snapped open.
She found herself leaning against Austin. Her head was resting on his shoulder and his arm was around her, holding her close with his chin resting on her head.
He was asleep. Alina's heart began to pound.
She recalled the storm, the fear that had seized her, leaving her shaking and gasping on the library floor. She remembered him finding her, sitting beside her, and reading aloud a chapter from a military history book, to calm her down.
But she didn't remember leaning into him like this. She hadn't meant to fall asleep on his shoulder.
She carefully lifted his arm from her shoulders, holding her breath. His fingers brushed against her sleeve and he caught them for a moment. She thought he might wake.
