Nineteen – 06

Gods and monsters.

Neve didn’t dare to breathe as Sif froze, poised somewhere between reaching for Thordin’s hand and leaning in to kiss his forehead. Her friend drew a rasping breath, then finally spoke with a shaking voice, “Thordin?”

He grunted softly and Neve pressed her spine against the door, feeling like she was somewhere she shouldn’t be as Sif dropped heavily into the chair at Thordin’s bedside, as if her legs wouldn’t support her a moment longer. Her shoulders shook with a sob she clearly fought to hold inside, the sound of it tearing free of her throat in a soft explosion of sound. Neve swallowed hard, torn between going to her friend and quietly stepping out to give them space.

And yet, she stood paralyzed, staring at the two in the dim light of the lamp.

Sif whispered something in their native tongue, so soft that Neve didn’t hear what she’d said, then leaned down to press a kiss to Thordin’s forehead. He lifted a shaky, pale hand to tangle in her hair, fingers tightening as he held her forehead against his.

“How long?” Thordin asked Sif softly, his voice rusty, raspy from disuse.

“Too long,” Sif answered, then sighed. “Oh Thordin. I am so sorry.”

“Why?” There was a hint of wry amusement in his voice. “Did you send that thing after me?”

She recoiled as if he’d struck her. His fingers slid from her hair, hand dangling off the edge of the bed, limp as if he didn’t have the energy to lift it again.

“Of course I didn’t,” Sif snapped. “Did the poison kill the last few brain cells you had left?”

A breathy laugh escaped him. “There she is.”

“What are you talking about?”

“You,” he murmured.

Neve smiled faintly and slipped quietly out the door.

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