Nathaniel listened to Cassandra’s breathing. As if he could coax her into relaxing, he breathed along with her, slowing, soothing. After a few minutes, he knew she was asleep.
That’s when he let himself relax.
He should sleep. The perimeter alarms were on. If anything heavier than snow crossed them, he’d know. Still, he hesitated. He didn’t trust Cassandra’s safety to machines.
For just a second, he let his frustration at being on this side, tucked away from the action, pound through him.
He wasn’t made for sitting it out. Not even with a beautiful woman.
His watch set to ping him in thirty minutes, he forced himself to sink into the cot. Eyes closed, he tried to put everything—especially the woman sleeping three feet away—out of his mind. If he wanted to keep her safe, he had to be i
