Isiah was drifting off to sleep on the cold floorboards when he heard the faint feminine whisper utterance. He recognized her voice immediately.
Yet the bone-deep exhaustion weighing upon his limbs left him too numb to move or shove her away.
He listened as her quiet footsteps approached, stepping carefully across the room to avoid disturbing the others. He remained perfectly still, realizing that if he opened his eyes now, insomnia would claim him for the remainder of the night.
She did not touch him or attempt to alter his uncomfortable sleeping posture; she simply unfolded a thick woolen blanket and draped it gently over his shoulders to shield him from the bitter winter draft.
Isiah caught the subtle trace of her floral fragrance, confirming just how close she hovered beside him.
"I wish you possessed the capacity to ask for assistance when you are in need," she whispered softly into his right ear.
