"I don't care."
The interruption came without hesitation.
"I don't care how large the forest is."
She stepped closer again until barely a breath separated them, close enough that she could see the rain still clinging to his lashes, close enough that the heat of her fury seemed to press against the cold rolling off him.
"You took responsibility for Takoda the moment you brought us here."
The accusation struck harder than any raised voice.
"You were the one who separated her from me."
His shoulders stiffened.
"I know."
"No."
Dakota shook her head again, tears spilling freely now, tracking down a face that had not allowed itself to cry in front of him until this exact moment.
"You don't."
"If you did, you wouldn't be standing here asking me to leave."
Outside, another helicopter passed low over the valley.
