Ste barely had time to react before her instincts kicked in-she reached for the knife, determined to act. But just as she raised her hand, someone snatched the de right out of her grasp.


    Bewildered, Ste turned to look at Joshua.


    "No need to go to such extremes," Joshua said calmly. "I''ll take care of the poison myself."


    Ste stared at him, momentarily lost for words. "What?"


    Joshua didn''t answer. Instead, he focused on preparing for what needed to be done. He shrugged off his jacket and tore several strips from a shirt, wrapping them tightly around her wounded leg to cut off the blood flow.


    Ste could only watch, stunned by how quickly he moved.


    When everything was ready, Joshua leaned over and pressed his mouth to her leg, drawing out the venom.


    Ste''s lips parted as if to protest, but before she could say anything, darkness swallowed her vision and consciousness slipped away.


    When she finally opened her eyes, daylight was streaming in from the mouth of a


    cave.


    She nced around, realizing she was lying on a makeshift bed in the shelter of the cavern. Nearby, the remnants of a small campfire-burned-out branches and leaves-hinted at how she''d spent the night. A man''s jacket was draped over her. Ste tried to sit up, only to find her strength had deserted her. Even the smallest movement sent the world spinning.


    Joshua was nowhere in sight. Where had he gone?


    With effort, she struggled to her feet, but her knees buckled almost immediately. Just as she was about to copse, strong hands caught her.


    "You shouldn''t try to walk yet, Star."


    She looked up, seeing Joshua''s face-pale, handsome, but set in an expression she hardly recognized. His lips were pressed into a thin line, eyes cold and distant.


    Ste froze, taken aback. She could count on one hand the times she''d seen Joshua like this. Usually, he wore an easy, harmless smile, never troubled by anything, always giving the impression that nothing really mattered.


    But now, seeing him so serious-even angry-Ste felt strangely unsettled.


    She snapped out of it and croaked, her voice


    hoarse, "I woke up and


    didn''t see you. I just wante


    where I was."  s


    "We''re in a cave," Joshua replied, helping her back down to the makeshift bed. "We''re safe for now."


    Her voice was still rough, nasal, and unpleasant, as if she''d juste


    down with a bad cold. "We


    you go?"  s


    Joshua handed her a canteen. "Here-drink."


    did


    Ste blinked in surprise. "Where did you find a canteen?"


    "Found it nearby," he said simply.


    She stared. "Seriously? You just found it?"


    Joshua produced a battered tin mug from somewhere and poured her some water.


    "And a mug, too?"


    He nodded. "Looks like someone was camping out here before us. There''s plenty of gear left behind."


    After a few sips, Ste felt the fog in her head begin to lift and her throat wasn''t quite as raw.


    "So you went to look for water?" she asked.


    Joshua nodded.


    She rubbed her aching temples. "What happened to me?"


    "You caught a chill and were poisoned," Joshua exined. You''ve got a fever, so you shouldn''t move around right now."  s>


    Ste lowered her gaze, quietly taking this in. "I see."


    He hesitated for a moment. "You were bitten by a snake, Star. Your body''s still weak."


    As if remembering something, Joshua reached out andid his hand gently<fn834e> ???s ??????? ?s ?????? ?? Find1Novel</fn834e>


    against her forehead to check her temperature.


    Ste froze, instinctively pulling back.


    He paused, looking down at her with concern. "What''s wrong?"