Chapter 532 - A Nightmare

Rising slowly, he moved to her side. He dipped the rag again, wringing it out until it was just damp, and began to wipe the grime of the Great Southern Wilds from her skin. He started at her forehead, brushing away the dried salt of her tears and the smears of soot. His touch was reverent, his eyes tracking every flicker of her eyelashes. He moved the cloth down the curve of her cheek and over her jaw, cleaning the copper-scented stains from the corners of her mouth where his own hunger had met her sacrifice.