Chapter 37
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Adrien stared at the scene for a moment, then ducked under a tree to escape the rain. She stretched out her hand toward the sky, summoning a sphere of light.
Boom!
Her signal was immediately swallowed by a burst of thunder and lightning. Adrien didn’t give up; she tried sending up several more signals, but with the storm raging, she doubted any of the squad could distinguish them from the flashes of lightning.
Sighing, Adrien headed back into the cave before she could get any more soaked. She figured it was best to wait out the rain inside.
“Is it raining out there?”
“Buckets.”
“So… did the signal go through?”
“We’ll just have to wait and see. For now, take your shirt off.”
Samuel didn’t argue. He unbuttoned his wet shirt, shivering as he peeled it away from his skin.
Adrien walked over and draped her jacket over his shoulders. But with Samuel’s broad frame, the jacket did little more than cover his back.
“This is ridiculous.”
Adrien muttered, a little dazed by the situation. Samuel, feeling awkward, looked away.
Adrien picked her shirt up from the ground and draped it over Samuel’s chest. It was far too small, so she tied the sleeves behind his neck like an oversized bib. Samuel stared at her in disbelief.
“What? Does it look that silly?”
“No, it’s just… Is the Commander going to be all right like that?”
Adrien was down to just her undershirt, which wasn’t too revealing but still didn’t seem appropriate for her rank.
“Is this really the time to worry about that?”
“I’m fine. You should at least wear your shirt. It’s cold in here.”
“Are you always this stubborn, Ensign? Your lips are blue.”
Samuel pressed his lips together, but there was no hiding the shivers racking his body.
“I really am all right, Commander.”
Adrien gave a small snort.
“Let’s not pretend. Ensign, you know how to contain your guiding, right?”
Guiding energy naturally flows through a Guide’s body, and it transfers to an Esper simply by touch, even without trying. That’s why Guides are taught to seal their energy inside—especially in close quarters.
“I can do it.”
“Then do it now.”
Adrien ordered, scooting closer on her knees.
Samuel, still a little dazed, closed his eyes to focus on the technique. Adrien was secretly relieved—if Samuel had asked what she was about to do, she probably would’ve stammered like an idiot.
“The only thing that matters right now is keeping you warm.”
Adrien thought, watching Samuel’s lips that were red from the cold, as he licked them.
“Don’t misunderstand.”
“…Of course.”
With no dry cloth to share, the only way to warm Samuel was through body heat. Adrien’s face flushed; it all felt like the sort of excuse you’d find in a cliché romance novel.
As Samuel worked on sealing his guiding, Adrien found herself admiring him—the jet-black hair, strong brows, the bold nose, the full lips. With his hair wet, he was even more striking. Maybe she wasn’t the only one who needed ‘containment’.
“All done, ma’am.”
“Is it this ankle?”
“Yes, but I’m fine—you can sit up here.”
“You sure you’re not hurt anywhere else? Hip, thigh?”
Adrien asked again. Samuel chuckled.
“I swear, I’m fine.”
Only then did Adrien carefully climb up onto Samuel’s lap. She tried not to put too much weight on him, but Samuel just laughed again.
“Are you going to keep tensing up like that?”
With a grumble, Adrien relaxed. She pulled off the shirt caught between them, intending to toss it aside, but Samuel caught it and draped it over Adrien’s shoulders.
“You’re cold too.”
“I’m fine, Ensign.”
“I need you to be warm, Commander. That’s the only way you can help me.”
Samuel’s arm circled firmly around Adrien’s back, making sure the shirt stayed in place. Adrien, at last, let herself lean gently against him.
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