Dreamwalker's Bride - Chapter 378

Chapter 378: Getting colder
Ford mulled over the interactions between Mia and Martin. The man had readily recognized him, and not overly berated him for stealing the map and running off with it.

That was a relief, and not a small one, either. Disobeying the word of a deceased man was something Ford had decided to put behind him, but now that the man was alive and a few feet away from him, the shame began to creep in.

He hadn’t felt much shame before. Self-righteousness and entitlement, but looking at Martin riding ahead was a stark reminder of who he’d been.

The woman sitting in front of him, whose back leaned ever so gently against his chest, was a reminder of who he wanted to be. The lessons he’d gotten from Grandpa on honor and responsibility.

He swallowed.

“I’m sorry, Martin,” He raised his voice enough for the man to tug on the reins and look back.

“Sorry?”

“For taking your map when you told me to burn it,” Ford explained.

“Better you than the Boss. Man would have become the next Barnabas, and nobody wanted that.”

Martin turned back forward as if the matter were closed. He didn’t offer forgiveness, but there was an implicit suggestion that he didn’t hold it against Ford. That was a relief.

“Hm,” Mia hummed slightly in front of him. He couldn’t see her face, and wondered what exactly she was pondering, but didn’t pry.

“Is this enough to replenish your magic?” He realized he hadn’t clarified, “Or…”

He released one hand from the reins and placed it over hers. She tensed, and he flinched, taking his hand away.

“Sorry.”

“Don’t apologize,” She turned her head a little, and a stray lock of her hair brushed his cheek with the chilly breeze. “I just wasn’t expecting it. Either way is fine, I don’t feel the pull right now.”

Ford blinked. He certainly felt a pull towards her. Maybe her magic worked in reverse when they were touching?

She said either way was fine, and he put his hand back over hers. It was cool. Was Mia cold?

“Do you need a coat?” He asked with a bit of concern. She’d just gotten over her injuries from the monster, it wouldn’t do at all for her to catch a chill.

“No, you’re—I mean, I don’t need it, thank you.” Mia stuttered, confusing him.

The horses clopped through the trees and up slopes. Occasionally a distant roar made the horses uneasy, and Mia tense. Ford knew she couldn’t tell how far away something was, but he also knew she was likely trying to figure it out.

“It’s all right,” He told her when she glanced at him again, “I’m rested and ready.”

There was an extra human with them now, but two fewer horses than previously. He was sure he could make them invisible for at least some amount of time. After all the sleep he’d had, he felt prepared.

“You scare me when you do that,” Mia shifted in the saddle. “When I know you’re using up all your magic but I can’t even see whether you’re all right.”

“As long as you’re invisible, I’m all right,” He told her, a bit perplexed to think of it her way. Of course, when she was using her magic, he watched her grow steadily more exhausted. Could see the dark circles form under her eyes and her body droop as her energy drained.

When he cloaked everyone, the process of wearing out was much more rapid, but no one could see it. Of course Mia, the expert worrier, would think about him and wonder whether he was all right.

It was so obviously within her personality that he wondered why he hadn’t realized it before.

The mountains grew colder as they ascended, and Ford turned to get his coat out of his saddlebag behind him. Rather than put it on, he leaned back to have enough space to slide it around Mia’s shoulders.

She shuddered as the cool fabric settled about her, and he grimaced.

“Thank you,” She told him. “I didn’t realize how cold it was getting.”

“How did you not realize? There’s snow there,” He pointed.

“Is that snow? I wasn’t sure whether it was more of the same mineral deposits as before.”

Ford shrugged. He’d assumed it was snow, but anything was possible here. He did know that it was cold, and that he shouldn’t let Mia freeze out here. Though he didn’t bear as strong of a responsibility for Mia as her father and grandfather did, he found himself wanting to take on that duty.

Was it Grandpa’s lectures about responsibility sinking in, or something within himself that wanted to care and provide for the woman so close to him?

“Don’t you need your coat?” She turned as far as she could, craning her head to look up at him. “Your lips are turning blue.”

“Are they?” He whispered, realizing how close their faces were. And she was talking about his lips! That made his heart feel a little funny in his chest. Sort of like it didn’t fit properly anymore. Needed more room than it had.

Mia’s eyes lingered. Did her chin tilt slightly towards him?

No, that had to be Storm’s gait making it seem that way. Ford’s gaze locked onto Mia’s, and he stopped breathing.

The blue in her eyes was purer than anything he’d ever seen. How did she manage to have such eyes? He’d called them ‘perfect’ before, and he more than stood by the description now. It made him wonder if she liked how he looked.

He’d never been around enough women to gauge whether he was attractive or not. It had never even occurred to him to wonder about it.

However he looked, Mia didn’t cringe away from him as if he were ugly. That was enough for him. Her breath fanned his cheek, and goosebumps rose along his skin. Yet, cold wasn’t the primary sensation he could name right now.

Seth’s horse neighed, and Mia jumped, turning back forward so quickly that Ford had to flinch back to not be hit by her swinging braid.

And yet, he couldn’t feel entirely disappointed by the interaction. Rather, he felt warmed by it.