Seeing how badly Rhaegal's skin was burnt, Malin froze, unsure what to do. His throat tightened.
"I… I'm sorry. I didn't mean to," he said, his voice low and shaky.
Rhaegal let out a quiet sigh. He reached for Malin, his fingers brushing against the boy's cheek. With his thumb, he wiped away the tears clinging to his lashes.
"There's no need to apologize, Malin. I know this isn't your fault," he said softly.
But Malin couldn't believe him. Not when the burns on Rhaegal's body were because of him. If only he didn't have this cursed power. If only it didn't hurt the one person he cared for most. Tears poured down his cheeks like a broken tap.
"I'm sorry… I'm sorry…" he kept muttering, the words coming out again and again, even though he knew they couldn't ease the pain.
