Felicia lifted Stephan's shirt, revealing injuries around his waist and thighs—marks from his crash into the rocks. The wounds, soaked for so long, were pale and gruesome. She knew he was hurt, but the sight shocked her. At least half those injuries should have been hers, or more!
She checked his pulse, furrowing her brow. There was no time to hesitate; she quickly tore off his clothes. Their small fire was insufficient, and the space too cramped to enlarge it. A larger fire risked burning down the cabin. What Stephan needed most was warmth.
Felicia gritted her teeth, removed her own clothes, and gently pressed against him. After the initial chill, their body heat warmed them both, bringing sighs of relief.
Time blurred. The wind howled, the temperature plummeted, and a winter chill settled in the air. The fire dwindled to embers. Felicia opened her eyes, dressed, and rekindled the flames. Stephan remained unconscious.
She redressed him in his dried clothes and, her stomach rumbling, sat beside him. Seeing him frown uncomfortably in his sleep softened her. She gently moved him onto her lap, letting him rest his head.
As dawn broke, dissipating the forest mist, he finally woke. The crackling fire greeted his ears; above him, Felicia's tired face leaned against the wall, her eyes closed. Her long lashes fluttered slightly in sleep. Firelight touched her delicate, dirt-stained skin, giving her a messy yet endearing look.
Stephan's gaze flickered. He remembered fainting, then… warmth pressed against him, trembling yet soft. His heart stirred, but a terrible headache made it hard to distinguish dream from reality.
Felicia awoke as the weight lifted from her legs. He was sitting up. "You're awake? How do you feel? Let me check your pulse," she asked quickly.
She stood, but her legs, numb from prolonged sitting, buckled. She fell forward, but Stephan caught her. Her head collided with his chest.
"Ouch," she groaned, her head throbbing. Stephan grunted, his own injury flaring. Hearing his sharp intake of breath, Felicia forgot her pain. "I'm sorry. Did I hurt you? I haven't properly treated your injuries; I just tied the cloth to stop the bleeding. We must find help today, or your wounds will get infected!"
He hummed, his dark pupils reflecting her shadow. "My people should be here soon."
"That's great!" As she spoke, a helicopter's sound reached them—rescue! Felicia's eyes lit up. She rushed to the cabin door and waved a branch frantically. "Over here! Over here!"