Her cheeks flushed, heat surging up through her body to settle in her chest, and she returned his smile a little shakily. She tried to tell herself that he hadn't meant that the way it sounded, that their friendship was too important to risk for something so silly, but her errant heart wouldn't listen, stubbornly skipping a beat in her chest.
Thank you, she signed gratefully, her smile turning into something smaller, relieved. She reached out to take his hand, trying to keep the touch light and gentle while privately basking in the warmth he emitted. She'd never known someone who just naturally ran as hot as he did. It was oddly soothing, sometimes.
Barkus was waiting for them with his customary frown in place, and he shot their joined hands a quick, sharp look when they emerged. "What, will the chit get lost on her way back to the tower?" he snipped, making Shae wince and duck her head. But he didn't seem to really be angry, more annoyed. Probably with the whole situation, but Shae was the easiest target for his frustration.
With a curt wave of his hand, the lord of the manor huffed, "Just get it done, and be quick about it. We want these men put up for the night as soon as we can manage."
Shae nodded quickly, releasing Artemis's hand to sign, Yes, sir, I understand.
Out of the corner of her eye, she thought she saw one or two of the soldiers watch the movement of her hands with sudden interest, but she didn't really pay it any mind. Plenty of people were taken aback or intrigued by her way of "speaking" the first time they encountered it.