“I never thought in all of my days that you would stand alongside us, Verutia,” Julius said with a smile.
“Don’t think I’m going to make a habit of it.”
“Either way, thank you. I knew you still had some compassion in you, young lady.”
Verutia looked away. She denied her buried kindred nature, yet she knew that Julius’ words rang true.
“You’ll be okay, right? Can’t you just heal yourself like you did at Moren?” Dorian asked.
“I…I do not have the energy for such a feat, I’m afraid.”
Xia pressed her hands against her father’s chest, attempting to heal his wounds.
“Damn it! I’m too weak,” she cried.
“Rin, can’t you help him?” Kara suggested.
“No. I can only ease his pain at this point. I have no more potions with me. I don’t have the necessary tools to help him.”
Julius clasped Xia’s
