I could hear every sound now. Branches creaking. Wind through leaves. My own heartbeat.
Nero's breathing was labored. Uneven. The injury was worse than he was letting on.
"Who knew the mad bride would save me," he said quietly. "If Kade and Abel could see this."
I wrapped my arms around myself. Shivering harder now. "Why did you say I was mad? Do you believe I was innocent?"
"I've always known you were innocent. You don't have the brains for that level of planning."
Still couldn't tell if that was an insult.
Nero started gathering wood for a fire. Moving slow. Favoring his leg.
"Let me do that," I said. "You're injured."
"I'm fine."
"You're not fine. You're bleeding and burning up and we're stuck out here until morning."
He didn't argue. Just watched me build the fire with what h
