Yara carefully made her way to the cramped cave, the shadows of the night casting an eerie glow on the landscape. The day had been long and exhausting, and she felt a mix of relief and anxiety as she approached their shelter. Her heart skipped a beat when she saw Basilisk, the imposing figure already settled inside, making the small space seem even smaller.
As she entered, he tossed her a spare coat. She caught it, the warmth and scent of the fabric bringing a slight blush to her cheeks. She had developed a small crush on Basilisk, and the proximity in such a confined space made her feel even more awkward. She spread the coat on the ground, trying to create as much distance as possible in the limited area.
"Thank you, Warlord," she said, her voice softer than usual. She accepted the food he offered, her fingers brushing against his paw for a brief moment, sending a shiver down her spine. She quickly looked away, focusing on the meal in front of her.
"It was Vesper," she replied, glancing up at him briefly before lowering her gaze again. "Oleander sent Vesper to collect the samples. I made sure to handle everything carefully to avoid any contamination."
She tried to focus on the conversation, but the awareness of their closeness was hard to ignore. Her heart pounded in her chest, and she took a deep breath to steady herself. "How are you holding up, Warlord? It's been a long day," she asked, trying to keep the conversation going and distract herself from her nervousness.
