Vencian knelt and pulled Reine into his arms. Her body trembled against his chest. Blood soaked through his sleeve and pooled in his palm as he pressed hard over the wound. Her breathing came shallow and uneven.
He gripped her shoulder and whispered, "Keep breathing, Reine. Don't close your eyes." Then louder, desperate, "Nothing's going to happen to you, do you hear me?"
The blood kept leaking through his fingers.
He tried pressing harder. Her shirt was wet, and his hands slipped. Her skin felt cold. The air burned with smoke, and his throat ached from it.
Reine tried to speak. Her voice cracked with each word. "I really… wanted to go to that place… you said… Moonfrost Keep."
Her lips trembled. Her eyes moved slowly, searching for his. He could not answer. His mouth opened, but nothing came. The color in her face was fading fast.
Her body did not go limp yet. Her breath hitched once more, weak but still there. Vencian looked down, lost, unable to act or think.
