Hard stone dug into my back, the cold ground leeching away all warmth and sending a pulse of pain through me. Each throb ricocheted through yesterday's bruises, making every muscle pulse in time with my heartbeat. There was no hope of getting back to sleep now, but considering how fitfully I'd rested, it wouldn't make much difference anyway.

Awareness stirred southward, and I bit back a groan. Of course, after the dreams that had taunted me all night, I wouldn't escape the physical effects. Thankfully, my under-armor, shirt, and pants made it less obvious.

Not ready to open my eyes, I scrubbed a hand over my face and sighed. It had been years since I dealt with dreams like that, and now there was no privacy to handle it. It would fade once I started my morning routine, but even the idea of moving was repugnant. Warmth pressed to my side and chest, chasing off the cold seeping into my back. If I got up, I'd be at the mercy of the dungeon's chilly air.

Then, through the lingering haze of sleep, I felt it. The warmth was moving. A steady rise and fall that synced with soft breaths against my chest. Only years of experience being my siblings' pillow stopped me from jolting upright as realization hit. Clover was wrapped snugly around me.

The heat radiating from her hadn't registered in my sleepy stupor, but now my attention swiveled to it. Her arm stretched across my chest, holding my right one hostage, with her cheek pressed to my shoulder.

Stray strands of hair hung down, and one drifted to tickle her nose. It wrinkled cutely, and I bit back a smile. She was nothing short of a force of nature while awake, but no one would guess from seeing her like this. Relaxed, without any worry or strain…

After the stress of the last day, she'd earned some peace. With that in mind, I brushed the hair aside. She settled again, a little sigh of contentment leaving her lips as she cuddled closer. Warmth squeezed in my chest, and I abandoned all plans to get up anytime soon. We should get a move on, but a few more minutes couldn't hurt, right?

Unfortunately, the universe disagreed. Her nose wrinkled again, and before I could react, a sneeze ripped through her. The sound echoed off the walls, and one of her eyes opened. She took in our positions with sleepy contentment before snorting.

“Looks like it was my turn to play heat detector in my sleep,” she said, cuddling closer with a hum. “You make a good portable furnace. Nice and toasty.”

She patted my chest, still half-asleep, and settled back down. I would have done the same…if she wasn't wiggling against my front. In an attempt to get more comfortable, she'd thrown her leg over mine. It brought her closer to the stiffness that had only just started to settle. Now, feeling the warm touch so unbearably close, it stirred again.

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I bit back a frustrated groan. Why couldn't those dreams have waited until she wasn't pressed against me? It's like my own mind wanted me to die of mortification.

Cursing the dreams again, I subtly shifted away, angling my lower half as far from her as possible. She, of course, followed me with a grumble. “Quit moving. You're letting the cold air in.”

I stilled, and she resumed her position. Knowing there was no way out of this, I gave in and explained, at least partly.

“Much as I'm enjoying this, I need to get up.” My nerves stretched tight, and she huffed, turning her face upward to glare at me.

“You've gotten to cuddle me several times so far. Unless your bladder is about to explode, deal with it.” She pouted, and I bit back a laugh at the downright petulant expression. She couldn't look more vexed if she tried. But she also probably wouldn't take well to me laughing at her, so I swallowed the urge.

Honesty was probably my best bet right now, lest she think I was a letcher when the real reason for my discomfort prodded her.

“If it were that, I wouldn't think twice about falling asleep again. It's a bit more…complicated.”

She frowned, confusion knitting her brows. “What are you–” Her leg shifted, grazing me, and she froze. I bit back a groan as a shiver ripped through me, and I gripped her leg to stop her from doing it again.

“That,” my voice came out ragged, “would be why.”

Her eyes flashed with understanding, and silence stretched. Neither of us broke it for several long minutes, and heat crawled up my neck the longer she stared at me.

Just as I was going to apologize and make my escape, she shrugged and slumped back onto my chest. “I don't care. Now go back to sleep. It's too early and cold to be awake yet. Besides, you look like death warmed over.”

Considering how many times I'd woken up last night with graphic images all but dancing behind my lids, I believed her. Still, I couldn't help but ask, “You're really alright with this?”

She grunted, burrowing deeper into my throat. “It's a natural bodily function. If we weren't in a dungeon, I would be tearing off your under-armor to solve it. I'm tempted as is, but the last thing we need is to get ambushed.”

Her finger tapped over my heart. “Do you have a problem with this?”

I shook my head. “Not really. I just…don't want to be indecent.”

A smile twitched at the corner of her lips, and she chuckled. “Appreciated. Now hush. This is the most comfortable I've been all year, and I'm not ready to relinquish it yet.”

I hummed in agreement, my hold on her leg loosening and sliding upward to rest on her waist. She still had my right arm trapped, but it could stay there for all I cared. Getting comfortable again, as much as I could on hard stone, I let my eyes slide shut. Exhaustion barreled back, dragging me into the abyss of sleep.

Clover shuffled closer, her steady breaths brushing the crook of my throat. Contentment swelled outward in my chest, and I sank into it with relish.

I could get used to this.

Leaning my cheek against her head, I let her soothing warmth and the thrum of her heartbeat against mine lull me back into sleep's embrace.