Chapter 23

The world outside the path seemed far away, as if we had stepped into a completely different realm. Chloe was nestled in a sling on my chest, softly chattering while she tangled her small hands in my hair.

"Take it easy," I whispered, carefully freeing her fingers before she could pull a hair free. She chuckled, her tiny face glowing, and for a short time, the fatigue weighing on my body didn't seem as burdensome.

Noah moved several steps ahead, examining the path with the skill of someone who had dedicated years to facing peril. His eyes flicked toward every noise—the snap of a twig, the rustling of foliage—and his hand remained near the blade secured to his waist.

"How much time until we halt?" I inquired, attempting to maintain the fatigue from my tone.

"Shortly," he answered, looking back at me. "There's an open space ahead."