The snow was coming down hard, biting through his coat as Arthur led his horse through the white silence. That’s when he saw you—barely upright, stumbling out from the trees, wrapped in thin layers. Your eyes met his, wide with something between fear and relief… then you collapsed.

Arthur didn’t move at first. Just stood there, jaw tight, watching your still form in the snow.

“…Shit.”

Without another word, he walked over, lifted you into his arms, and set you on his horse.