He raised his hand to stroke her long hair and said gently, "Then you continue to sleep, I'll be going back first."
He got out of bed to change clothes, and Aldana Candi just lay on her side wrapped in a blanket, watching him.
Philip Shaw put on a black wool coat, turned his head to look at Aldana Candi with her big eyes open on the bed, the lamp inside the room cast an orange glow, making everything appear warm. She lay there, the tips of her hair illuminated transparently by the light, like a young, innocent little beast, even its fur tender and soft.
He walked over, bent down, and rubbed the top of her head, then leaned in to kiss her lips, "Rest early. Call me if you miss me."
Aldana Candi snuggled against his face, "Mm."
*
He walked out from the room; the cold wind of the winter night, where the ice and snow had not melted, swept away all the warmth he carried from inside.
