Comforting

A ThornyThursday excerpt from Shadow's Hunt.

Rana followed Rhyslin through the gates and into the construction yard.  Once inside, she quickly realized that the wall wasn’t up to keep people out as much as it was to keep the noise in.

She raised her hands and covered her sensitive ears, whimpering at the overly loud noise of hammers pounding, sawblades buzzing, and craftsmen calling back and forth.  She ducked her head down and took shallow breaths, grimacing as sawdust got into her mouth and nose, causing her to cough.

Hearing her cough, Rhyslin turned, reached into one of his pouches, and handed her a length of homespun fabric.  Seeing her inquisitive expression, Rhyslin showed her how to wrap it around her head so that it covered her mouth, nose, and ears. 

After wrapping the scarf, Rana rested her forehead and hand on Rhyslin’s chest until the noise diminished.  As Rhyslin closed his free arm around her, she closed her eyes.  When her ears stopped ringing, she raised her head and whispered, “Is it always so loud?”

Rhyslin nodded, “It is.  I am sorry.”  He softly ran his fingers across her back.  “Do you want to wait outside with Marc and Nat?”

Rana shook her head, her free hair flowing across her back.  “No,” she said with a grateful expression.  “I’ll stay with you.”  She looked up into her eyes.  “Unless you tell me to leave.”  Under the intensity of his gaze, her heart beat a little faster.  Is this what Momma feels when she’s near him? She wondered as she felt the slow beat of his heart under her hands.

Rhyslin watched her face for a moment, his eyes tracing the elegant outline of her cheeks through the scarf.  “I think we can let you stay,” he said with a grin.

Rana dipped her head, taking a deep breath. His scent was comforting to her, and when she had had her fill, she gently pushed away from him and looked into the yard. “Which one is yours?” she asked as she brushed the wrinkles out of her skirt.