Lyralei felt herself being carried, and exhaustion weighed down every part of her body like someone had replaced her bones with lead. Gerald's arms held her carefully, his warmth seeping through the torn remains of her nightdress, and she wanted nothing more than to close her eyes and disappear into the darkness where she didn't have to think or feel or remember.
But she did remember.
"Put me down," she said, her voice coming out rough and broken.
Gerald slowed but didn't stop. "You need to rest—"
"Put me down." The words came out sharper this time.
He was quiet for a moment before carefully lowering her to her feet. The moment her legs took her weight, they nearly gave out. She swayed badly, her vision swimming with exhaustion, but she forced herself to stay upright. One step. Then a
