We walked slowly after that, every step deliberate, careful.
My debug vision stayed active almost constantly, scanning for any sign of pursuit.
There is nothing.
I exhaled slowly, some of the tension leaving my shoulders.
Maybe we actually lost them.
Time passed. The sun began its descent toward the horizon, painting the sky in shades of orange and gold through the canopy breaks.
Tessa had started limping about an hour ago.
At first she'd tried to hide it by keeping pace, not complaining, but eventually she'd reached over and caught my arm, leaning her weight against me for support.
I gave her a look.
She looked away, her cheeks turning red.
"Geez," she muttered.
"Can't even lend a lady your hand?"
"You have my whole arm," I pointed out.
She squeezed said arm tighter, pressing against my side.
"Exactly. Because I'm hurt and exhausted and you're my fiancé, so you should want to help me." Her tone was defensive but with that underlying amusement.
