I reeled back, tasting coppery blood from a bitten cheek. Nathan's eyes were open, flashing gold and crimson with animal panic, muscles tensed to keep me at bay - or attack again if provoked. My heart cracked further. Even lost in nightmares, some dark part of his spirit believed I meant harm, not healing. My own rampant fury had seeded such distrust between us.
Cradling my throbbing shoulder, I met his wild stare steadily, keeping still as carved marble. "Hush, it's alright," I soothed in a low murmur. "Just me, only Terra. You're safe here." Desperation bled through my fragile calm.
Slowly the scarlet receded from Nathan's eyes, leaving them glassy and bewildered as fever's grip relaxed briefly. "...Terra?" His cracked lips fumbled over my name slurred and rasping. "You came back..."
