By the time she reached the summit, the world had narrowed to her legs, her lungs, and the pulse pounding in her ears. She fell to her knees, utterly spent, unable to lift her body another inch. Her hands dug into the soil for leverage but found only the unforgiving ground. Her vision blurred with tears, sweat, and blood.
Finally, her body gave out entirely, and she collapsed backward, staring up at the sky as if it were a distant ocean.
She didn't know how much time passed in that vulnerable, suspended silence before she felt warmth against her side, an anchor pulling her from the abyss. Slowly, her senses returned as she realized she was being carried, arms strong and sure around her fragile frame.
She lifted her gaze and saw Kade, eyes blazing with fury, body taut with tension as he descended the hill with her in his arms. His grip was firm, protective, as if nothing in the world could harm her while he held her.
He carried her down the slope carefully.
*****
