Mason's POV

Nora clears her throat. The sound is delicate. Careful.

She smooths down her dress with slow movements. Her hands are shaking slightly.

A blush spreads across her cheeks. Down her neck. Even the tips of her ears are pink.

"The terrain is quite complex," she says. Her voice is too formal. Too careful. "And challenging. We were examining it very closely. Very thoroughly."

"I'll bet you were," Nick ...