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Darkness surrounded Maomao. She could hear nothing but her gasping breaths and the pounding of her heart against her chest. Just a little further. Just a little...
Something on the ground sent her sprawling. The pain of the impact was masked by her fear. A presence loomed.
The Bear-Man...have to...run...
Maomao tried to take a deep breath to get back to her feet but found herself choking on it instead. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't get enough air.
Pressure against her back pushed her flat against the ground again.
I haven't stalled long enough.
I'm going to die
Breaths came shallow and fast, panic finally taking over as the person behind her flipped her over.
"Maomao," Jinshi's voice was firm and calm as his face came into view.
"Y-you can't, B-bear--" Maomao coughed, struggling to take in more air to talk. Instead, she tried to push Jinshi away, hoping that he would get the message.
He caught her hands easily. "You're safe. I'm safe. Maomao, open your eyes."
She blinked.
And blinked again.
The carriage slowly came into view, dimly lit by a setting sun.
Jinshi had braced himself against the seats with his legs to be at her eye level while gripping both her arms to keep her grounded.
"You're safe. I'm safe," he repeated steadily. "We're in my carriage on our way to the capital."
Right. Right. The hunt and then Suiren's meddling had put them together in Jinshi's carriage. She must have fallen asleep.
The fight-or-flight energy drained out of her instantly, leaving her trembling and weak. Jinshi caught her easily and moved to her side of the carriage to support her.
"Shhh, it's okay. Just follow my breathing." He held her, somehow contorting himself so that she lent securely against his torso while leaving one hand free to run up and down her arm in time with his breaths.
Her coughs and gasps slowly turned into hiccups and ragged breaths, then into deep, focused breathing. When an unexpected bump in the road caused Maomao's breath to hitch, Jinshi lent forward and quietly repeated that she was okay. Other than that, he didn't speak a word.
By the time Maomao could speak again, she was beyond embarrassed about the situation.
"My skin will chafe if you keep rubbing like that," she croaked.
"I'm sure you could make a salve for that," Jinshi replied gently but didn't stop. Her breathing hadn't completely evened out yet.
She tried to push herself away but her weakened muscles betrayed her.
"Don't get ahead of yourself." He leaned over her and grabbed her goblet of fruit juice. It had long since gone to room temperature. "You'll feel better if you drink."
He tried to hold the goblet for her, but Maomao stubbornly managed to do it herself. Feeding her was too far beneath him, no matter what he may think.
The juice, normally too sweet for her palate, refreshed her dry mouth and pleased her taste buds. Yet it did nothing to revitalize her energy. As soon as Jinshi removed the goblet from her hands, Maomao's arms dropped like dead weight, useless.
"I'll let you rest in a second, but," Jinshi paused, and Maomao could picture the pained expression he must be wearing now. "Be honest: has this been happening often?"
"No, sir," she said. "I think it was a combination of the excitement of today, exhaustion, and the carriage."
"I see." He had two arms around her, now, and pulled her closer. "I will do anything for you, Maomao, to keep you safe and happy."
"I know, sir." Maomao gestured to the brand. "But you shouldn't. I'm not worth it."
"Maomao--"
"I'm very tired, sir," she cut him off and promptly buried her face in his robe and closed her eyes. He stilled.
"Yes, I'm sorry. I'll let you rest."
A hand gently petted her hair. She ignored it.
Jinshi shifted and pressed a kiss against the top of her head.
Something stirred inside her, but she ignored that too.