The blade was meant for me.
I saw it coming too late. The monster had broken through the line, its claws extended, a jagged sword gleaming in its grip. I was already throwing fire, already spinning to face it, but I was too slow. Too exposed.
Then Varen was there.
He took the hit. The sword punched through his chest, blood spraying across my face. Hot. Wet. Wrong.
"Varen!"
His body crumpled. I caught him before he hit the ground, my hands already slick with his blood. The monster howled in victory, but I didn't care. I couldn't care.
Not while he was dying in my arms.
"No no no no." My voice was shaking. My whole body was shaking. "Varen, look at me. Look at me!"
His eyes fluttered. Glassy. Unfocused. "Aria?"
"Stay with me. Please."
"Did I... did I get it?"
I sobbed. I couldn't
