Clement stumbled and Claudette caught him by the shoulders.
She held him steady. It felt strange, touching him like this without the presence of the bond - almost like its absence focused her sense, heightened it. Real.
"Claudette…" he breathed out, one hand leaving the blade to clasp at her elbow.
"How?"
"I'm here…" she said, her throat tight, voice a reedy rasp.
"I'm fine."
She cupped his face then, making him let out a shuddering breath. It's almost as if her touch were the proof he needed that she was real.
"We're fine."
Historia took this chance to flee.
Retreating farther across the bridge, she'd periodically peer over its side as if gauging the distance to the river. She was trapped between them and the far wall of the gorge - the only way out was down.
"What a coward."
