Changed and Unchanged

He didn't argue more. I knew it would take more than one try to convince him, and I was in no rush, so I didn't speak further either after carefully helping him lie down. Draping an arm over him, I wrapped myself lightly around his cold body, and we quietly went to sleep.

I didn't fall asleep any time soon though. He had revoked the spell over the window seal, and the faint moonlight glowing through the edge of the frame fell on his face, casting a long shadow over his gaunt features. I stared at him for a long time, resisting the temptation to lift my hand and touch his cheek as I tried to match this unfamiliar face to my memory of him.