“I told you I had more tricks up my sleeve,” Crow smirked at Penelope wryly when she said she had never done anything like that before. “I wasn’t just talking about lying.” He closed his eyes, stroking her arm gently as she curled up against him. With the knight’s warm presence and the security of their secluded spot above the lake, he considered taking a short nap before returning to the camp. After all, if the other thieves got as drunk in Azmar as they usually did, he doubted they would notice that he and Penelope had disappeared together. As long as they made it back before daybreak, no one would know they were ever gone.

Content with the plan, he began to let himself drift off. However, he didn’t get a chance before he heard Penelope announce that they should go back. He opened his eyes again and frowned as she pulled away from him to get up. Propping himself up on his arms, he saw that she was already gathering her clothes, so he gave a reluctant nod, “Alright.” Though he was still confused by her sudden urge to get back to the camp, he complied with the knight’s request, collecting his own clothing from the ground and getting dressed.

At her following question, he shrugged and looked over at her with an amused smile, “Tired, yet satisfied. Why do you ask?” Suddenly, he blinked as he realized she was thinking about his illness again. He shifted slightly and averted his gaze. He knew that this would happen if she found out about it. It was why he had tried so hard to keep it a secret. Now that she knew he was sick, she was just going to keep worrying about him. He didn’t want her to carry that burden.

Crow let out his breath in a sigh and stepped over to take her hands, pressing a comforting kiss to her forehead. “Darling, I’m fine,” he said softly. “I may be ill, but I don’t need to be coddled, so please don’t treat me differently because of it.” He nudged her teasingly. “Besides, I honestly feel much better after being with you tonight. Maybe you’re the cure I needed after all.” He laughed, hoping to lift her spirits with the sultry humor.

Leaning in to kiss her on the lips, he dropped one of her hands and then straightened up again to ask, “So, are you ready to go, love?”