Crow stood back as Penelope tried again to put weight on her foot, only to end up leaning against the tree again. It seemed she couldn’t even stand on it, let alone try to walk. He crossed his arms and glanced back towards the village in thought. This was a bad situation to be in. Even though there was no sign of the other knights yet, it wouldn’t be long before they showed up to find out where their comrades had gone. The thief had used the element of surprise to take down the first guards, but the other two would be much more cautious against him after their companions disappeared.

He turned back to Penelope as she told him to leave yet again. Once more, the suggestion was tempting to him, but he couldn’t bring himself to abandon her while she was still injured. Past loyalties aside, it felt wrong to leave her stranded when she couldn’t move and none of her comrades knew where she was. As far as either of them knew, he was the only one in the area who could do anything to help her. If he left her now and something happened to her, he would never forgive himself.

He blinked, surprised by the strength of the emotion. [i]Perhaps I still feel for her more strongly than I thought,[/i] he realized.

Noticing that Penelope was still waiting for him to give her an answer, he pushed the thought aside. “Nice try,” he smirked. “But you’re not going to get rid of me that easily.” Stepping up to her side, he took her arm and slung it across his shoulders and then slipped his free arm around her waist to support her against his side.

Holding her body against his, Crow felt his heart begin to race in spite of himself. He swallowed, trying to ignore its incessant pounding in his chest. [i]She has a suitor,[/i] he reminded himself sternly. [i]I’m just helping her get to safety, nothing more.[/i]

“Come on,” he said, avoiding her gaze. “We need to go somewhere less visible so those knights won’t find us.”