Wandering Soul by Cassandra Chandler Page B

the room. Before she could argue, Dante stepped forward and lifted her from the bed. He did it with practiced ease, and she wondered if he had been the one to carry her to bed in the first place.
    The image brought on another shiver, which she tried to ignore. It wasn’t easy, feeling his chest pressed against her side. The scent of sandalwood enveloped her.
    â€œAre you certain that you are not cold?” he asked as he headed toward the bathroom.
    â€œI’m fine. Why do you keep asking about that?”
    He tilted his head away, but she could see the red flush creeping over his skin even with his mask.
    â€œYou were quite cold the night I arrived.” he said. He stopped at the door to the bathroom, then set her on her feet. “Are you certain you can manage on your own?”
    â€œI’ll be fine.”
    From the way his jaw tightened, he seemed to disagree. “I shall be close. If you need anything, you have only to call for me.”
    He spoke with such intensity, almost protectiveness. But again, that was backward. Elsa was supposed to be in that role. Before she could take care of anyone else, though, she really needed to take care of herself.
    â€œThanks.” She slipped through the door.
    She rushed through her most basic bodily needs, eager to get back to him. When she opened the door to the bedroom again, Dante was standing by the armoire, tracing the carvings with his fingertips. He paused when he saw her.
    Determined to show him she was fine, Elsa started toward him, but after two steps she wasn’t sure which way was up again. It didn’t matter, because he was there to catch her. He gathered her against his chest as if it was the most natural thing in the world.
    Her heart felt strangely full. Leaning into him, she felt warmth suffuse her body. No one had ever carried her so tenderly before.
    She couldn’t let herself enjoy it. If she did, it would be that much more painful when she finally had to let him go.
    â€œAre you all right?”
    â€œYes, I’m just still a bit dizzy. And I’m not used to being carried around.”
    â€œUntil you are recovered, perhaps you should strive to become accustomed to it.” Dante said, heading to the door. Her stomach did a happy little flip. “I presume there is a kitchen elsewhere in the house?”
    She had to clear her throat to reply. “Downstairs.”
    He nodded, but paused at the open doorway. In a soft voice, he said, “I have not left this room since you brought me here.”
    â€œNot once in two days?”
    â€œThat would have meant leaving your side and I could not bring myself to do so.” He drew in a quick breath, as if trying to pull the words back into his mouth. “That is to say…”
    â€œThank you.”
    The smile he gave her was gentle, and he held her a little closer to his chest. She wondered if he was even aware of it. He took another deep breath, his arms stiffening around her, then stepped over the threshold. He paused again on the other side and let out a brief laugh. Elsa felt his arms relax, and he bowed his head as if relieved.
    â€œI half expected to be transported back to my time.”
    â€œI would bring you back again.”
    â€œI—” Whatever he’d been about to say, he seemed to think better of it. “I appreciate that.”
    â€œI don’t think it’ll be necessary, though. Leonardo’s been with me for years now.”
    Elsa had never told anyone about Leonardo. The only person she had ever spoken with about her power… Well, it was best not to think about that.
    The conversation felt even stranger with Dante carrying her. As much as she loved being close to him, the idea of needing someone to take care of her was unnerving. She was literally burdening him.
    Her weakness would pass. She was certain of it. And then she could be the one taking care of him. She just had to make sure she didn’t enjoy herself