Kell stilled at the touch, surprised, but let her pull him back, sinking down onto the cot, then removing his own boots. They were fine and soft, without the stains of travel, and all the more he felt the difference.

He took off his coat, easing it down from his shoulders, then settled down alongside her. They had to be very close to make this work, and it took a moment to make sense of where his arms and legs should be, and then to ease her in against his chest.

Beneath it all his heart still beat.

"All right?"