*Lena*
I ran my hand down Xander’s back, my thumb grazing over his spine. I could feel each vertebra clearly, and my heart sunk in my chest as I stepped closer to him, wrapping my arms around his waist.
“You need to eat more,” I coaxed, glancing up at him.
His eyes were on the water, however, and the port of Breles that was just visible on the horizon. His mouth twitched as he looked down at me, a look of understanding passing behind his eyes.
“Alma will make sure I’m fed, I assure you. She probably won’t let us leave until I’m back to my usual weight.”
I gave Xander a soft smile, and it was all I could muster. His nightmares the past week had lessened but weren’t gone entirely. Some nights he’d been able to sleep through the night without waking, but most of the time he tossed and turned, crying out in his sleep. I just laid there, being as still and quiet as possible so I didn’t startle him, and silently cried as he suffered.