Elisabeth didn’t waste a second. A soon as she realized what he was doing with her hand, she acted. Gently, she slipped both hands up around his neck, softly covering his tattoo, letting the warmth of her hands seep into his skin. Her forehead gently leaned against his, words warm and soft. [b]“Ezner, that [i]thing[/i] has no power over you anymore. None. It may still be there, but its power is gone. That will never be you ever again.” [/b]

His confession about wanting to hold her hand wasn’t expected but didn’t bother her in the least. They were both still a bit raw about assuming the worst had happened to the other so the idea that he wanted to keep a physical connection made sense. The only issue…is that he had refused to communicate that to her in the moment. [b]“Then tell me that. I can’t know what you are thinking.”[/b]

He continued to convey how he felt. When he showed her his wrist, she removed his hands from his neck and moved them directly to this wrist, repeating the same act – simply allowing her touch and warmth to seep in. She was no healer, and her touch wasn’t magical…but Elisabeth knew the power of touch itself and hoped beyond hope that it would have a positive effect on him. 

Ezner took her hand again and said he liked holding her hand. He had attached her to snow, but not cold. Interesting. Squeezing his hand gently, Elisabeth interjected a few thoughts of her own. [b]“Snow is cold, yet soft and playful. I will show you sometrial – I promise. I won’t let it hurt you. I want you only to have happy thoughts of snow.”[/b]

The most surprising comment, however, was his observation about her on a couch and blanket. Curious. She wanted to ask him more about that but Elisabeth also wanted to get to his house so they could pick up his things and get back to her home. Squeezing his hand again, she nodded her head down the road, smiling. [b]“Then hold my hand and we will get through the cold…together.”[/b]