I let out the breath I had been holding and focused on climbing the front steps of the house. Inside, the hallway was empty, the clock on the wall reading close to eleven. I made my way to the stairs and Phoenix fell into step beside me, matching my pace without a word.
When I reached my room he nodded and stayed by the door. I gave him a small uncertain smile and went inside, leaning back against the door and waiting for my heart rate to settle. Something about that walk had been unexpectedly intense and I needed a moment.
I pulled underwear from my drawer, picked out leggings and a large t-shirt from my closet, and let Phoenix's shirt drop to the floor. I pulled on socks and trainers, twisted my wet hair into a bun and decided that was sufficient. When I stepped back outside he was exactly where I had left him and his eyes moved to my outfit with something in them that looked briefly like disappointment before he put it away.
"Let us go," he said.
