When we arrived at the castle gates, Luca ordered two guards to collect Connor's body before carrying me upstairs to an empty room. He told me that because of the long journey back, the lateness of the day and the exhaustion of the army, that we would be staying in the castle until the next morning before going home.
He lit the fire, fetched me some blankets which he proceeded to wrap me in, made me a cup of hot cocoa and most importantly, kept me company. We didn't speak much but he was willing to sit with me regardless. I couldn't bear to be alone right now and Luca was the only person in this entire castle that could make me feel like I wasn't.
"You should try to get some sleep, Ells," he said after an hour or so of silence. "You look exhausted."
"Will you stay with me?" I asked.
"All night. I promise," he replied.
I smiled and nodded.
"Thank you, Luca. I don't know what I'd do without you," I replied before snuggling further into the blankets and comfortable bed.