LERRIN

Lerrin and Suhle had spent an hour silently navigating out of the Tree City, mostly via creeks and streams to minimize their scent. The adrenalin pumped in Lerrin's veins and he felt less pain than he had ever since the attack. He knew he was healing. By the same token, he knew whenever they stopped tonight he would likely end up struggling to move once he stopped. But for the moment his heart raced and he watched Suhle admiringly. Her ability to nearly disappear into the branches of a tree, or to slip through the forest without disturbing anything or making a noise… he had thought he was skilled, but she left him for dead.

When they'd reached the spot beyond the sentries now posted around the Tree City where she had stashed the bags she'd visibly relaxed, but they remained silent, just in case and crept on, Lerrin taking the heavier of the bags, despite her disapproving face.

But he was so happy to be out. It was such a joy to fill his lungs with the fresh air of the forest, to listen to the WildWood rustle and chirp around him. To know that he never had to go back to that **ing prison tree again. And he had Suhle with him.

Holy **, they were really doing this.

They'd walked over two hours by the time they both felt comfortable enough to speak quietly. Suhle had led him northeast for a time, but they were curving to head due north now. He knew it would be hours before they hit the edge of the WildWood—depending on how his body held up, they may not make it out of the forest that night. They may be forced to bed down somewhere.

As they splashed through yet another stream, following it for a time before stepping out onto rocks where they would leave the least scent trail, Lerrin just prayed Suhle remained safe. He prayed they had enough of a head start that when Anima finally began to learn that he was free, they wouldn't be able to follow.

He prayed they could stay under enough cover to be hidden from any birds that might be sent to patrol.

And he prayed that Suhle would never regret coming with him.

He held out a hand for her as they stepped up onto a larger rock to look around for the best path through the remaining forest. She took his hand to step up beside him, but didn't let it go once she was at his side.

The water was cold, and his legs colder now that his leathers were soaked. But he found he couldn't feel negative about any of it. He was free. Free of everything. Except Suhle—the one thing he didn't want to be free of anymore.

He stared down at her and smiled and her face lit up.

"You aren't worried?

" she whispered.

Lerrin shook his head and cupped her face with his hand.

"No,

" he said, his voice rough.

"I'm just so damn glad you're here with me. If I was doing this on my own… I don't think I could, Suhle.

"

"You are stronger than you think. And your body is healing.

"

"That's not what I meant, Suhle. I was… I was so blind and stupid-prideful. I'm so sorry I denied you. When I think about having to walk this out alone… I'm so grateful you didn't give up.

"

Her forehead crinkled.

"I would never give up on you, Lerrin. You're mine,

" she whispered, her cheeks pinking like she was embarrassed, but she held his gaze and didn't turn away.

Watching her for any wariness, he leaned down slowly to kiss her. But far from pulling away, she threw her arms around his neck and pulled him in, pressing herself against him until her soft warmth started to have an affect on his body.

After a minute he straightened. They still weren't out of danger. They needed to focus, but then he leaned down for one more quick kiss, whispering against her lips,

"There is no rush, Suhle. We will complete the bond when the time is right. I've waited this long, I'll wait as long as you need. As long as you're with me… the rest I can wait for.

"

She made a little noise in her throat, then kissed him again.

"Thank you,

" she whispered. He stroked her hair back off her face, glad again that she'd gotten rid of the hood, then sighed and took her hand.

"Let's get moving. Every step away from the Tree City is another step closer to safety,

" he growled.

They walked on for another twenty minutes before she spoke.

"Will you miss leading?

"

Lerrin snorted.

"No.

"

"But you are so good at it.

"

He cut her glance from the side.

"I'm sorry, but did you see the war we just fought?

"

She gave him a dry look.

"Lerrin, had you been anyone else, the wolves would now be dead, and the tribe virtually wiped out. Those that survived would not have been returned to the Tree City. Reth would not have a united Anima.

"

"If I'd been someone else,

" he retorted,

"the wolves would never have left the Tree City in the first place—at least, not in the numbers that they did.

"

They argued it back and forth a few times, but then Suhle shrugged.

"Everything that was meant to be has been,

" she said simply.

"And now we're here and… I find myself… free,

" she said, breaking into a wide smile.

"Free?

" he asked carefully as he leaned down to pass under a low branch of a tree. Suhle followed, nodding.

"I didn't expect it, but I find… knowing that I don't have to go back, I am realizing how much it affected me being in that place where I grew up… where bad things happened. It had never occurred to me to leave. Not permanently,

" she said.

"Where would I have gone? But now, walking away? I feel as if so much of my life is falling away from me. As if I have carried a great burden, and now I can lay some of it down.

" Then she squeezed his hand and smiled again, her eyes welling..

"And it's because of you, Lerrin.

"