The room was dim, lit only by the flickering lantern on the nightstand.
She did it.
She saved him.
"Stay with me?" she asked.
Malcolm froze.
Iyisha only meant beside her. Just his arm around her. Just his body close enough that she could close her eyes and believe he was really back.
Only a few steps beyond the thin wooden door, the others were still awake. Marybeth and Lance were right outside. Aljun might still be guarding. Iyisha knew that, but she reached for Malcolm anyway and pushed his hair away from his face.
His stubble had grown rougher. His eyes looked darker. He looked tired in a way he would never admit.
She had missed him badly.
Malcolm looked at her for a long second. His gaze dropped to her mouth, then cut toward the door. The latch had not clicked shut.
He pressed one finger to her lips.
"You need to be quiet," he breathed near her ear. "They're right outside."
Iyisha blinked.
Quiet?
Before she could ask what he meant, he kissed her.
