Maria.
"Maria… are you okay?"
Vincent's voice cut gently through my thoughts. I hadn't realized how tense my face must have looked until I saw the concern in his eyes.
I blinked, forcing myself back to the present. The faint sound I had heard moments ago still lingered in my mind like a distant echo.
"Didn't you hear the sound?" I asked quietly, scanning the trees once more.
He frowned slightly. "What sound?"
I hesitated.
Had I imagined it?
The area looked calm. Dawn light filtered through the branches of some trees in a soft golden streaks. Nothing moved except the leaves swaying lazily in the breeze.
Vincent's expression softened.
"I get that you're tired, Maria," he said gently. "You can sleep a bit on my belly before we continue."
There was no mockery in his tone. No teasing. Just simple, warm concern.
I exhaled slowly.
Maybe it was exhaustion.
