Rowan's awareness hung by a thread as Wren carried him back inside. He wanted another glimpse of the clarity in Wren's eyes just to confirm that he hadn't imagined it, but he felt so safe in Wren's arms, so warm against his chest, that his own eyelids refused to open.
He was vaguely aware of Wren attempting to lay him on the bed, but Rowan clung to him in his half-alert state, arms snaking weakly around Wren's neck, refusing to let go.
"No…you have to stay here." Rowan thought the voice that mumbled the demand was his own, but it seemed to come from the other side of a dream.
The soft sound of Wren's amusement drifted into Rowan's ear, followed by the flower-petal brush of his lips over Rowan's forehead. "Of course, Master Caretaker. Cling to me as much as you want. I wasn't planning on going anywhere."
