She joined his side. She was walking a little slower than her normal trot, but she gave him a small smile, her face paler than it had been the day before. “Ready?”
They made it back to the road. There was less snow on it, and they could see tracks from carts that had passed by.
She looked down, considering it. With a pang, she remembered the cart at home, and how her younger siblings loved playing in the hay.
She frowned, looking up at him and following him. "Are you excited to get your stone back?" she asked.
She beamed at him, taking his hand and squeezing it gently. "I wouldn't lie. I'm not quick enough to lie."
He laughed a little as they continued down the path. The trees grew more scarce, and rock and snow surrounded them coloring the world a dull gray.
She tipped her head back, looking up at the sky. "How are you feeling?" she asked eventually. "About the whole morality thing." She paused before nudging him slightly. "You did save my life."
He looked down at her, his gaze soft and curious. He looked out of place in this world, his dark hair and reddish skin contrasting against the background. "What do you mean?"
She tilted her head. Color had returned to her face and her nose wrinkled a little as she gave him a smile. "Well, you seem to have doubts about your goodness, you know? But you just saved a girl's life. Without any ulterior motive, as far as I know. That must make you feel better about it."
He pursed his lips thoughtfully, patting her hand on his arm. "As much as I'd like to be good, I think it might have been because I care about you."
Her eyes widened and she couldn't speak for a moment, clearly overwhelmed by emotion in the moment. "You... you care about me?"
