The Brother and In-Law

Fang moved closer to Selene without thought, a natural instinct overriding hesitation. His arms slid under her with practiced ease, one beneath her knees, the other steadying her back. She gasped softly, startled by the sudden shift, her hands instinctively clutching at his tunic before she caught herself. His grip was firm, yet careful, holding her as if she were something precious, something he feared might break.

His warmth seeped through her, a stark contrast to the chill in the air. Each step he took was deliberate, his gait smooth yet powerful, as though he bore no weight at all. He felt the faintest tension in her frame, the way her fingers twitched against his chest, lingering between resistance and trust. His keen ears picked up on her shallow breathing, the unspoken words lingering between them. Then, in the softest whisper, barely louder than the wind, she spoke.

"I can walk."