Lorelei

The day had bled into evening without my noticing.

I sat by the window, still wrapped in the same thick clothes, staring at the same stretch of sky. Lunch sat untouched on the small table where Penelope had left it hours ago—the food cold now, the tea long since gone bitter. I hadn't been able to eat. Hadn't been able to think about anything except that moment. That touch. That void.

The shivers came and went in waves. I'd turned the heating up earlier, had Penelope stoke the fire ...