Ouroboros Spine I am that is

The living-dead stranger was, of course, correct in his observation: it was not a good idea to stand up just yet. Helpless to the Other's manoeuvres, Goldhawk allowed himself to be moved into a sitting position. His head was bowed — he felt heavy and morose.

Kyron was talking as though Goldhawk were an Omega, and he was not used to this so could not take it in his stride. Everything echoed in his head.

"Fool... idiot... wake up... shut up... just do it... do as I bloody say... you ungrateful brat... I am not a bloody fool who's lost all his warrior glory and given up completely... I have honor and pride and dignity, unlike you... I saved you from dying."

Goldhawk closed his eyes again, but this time not with weariness but with heart-stabbing shame. He didn't even know if Kyron had said all that or if he'd just said it to himself. And he certainly didn't yet know if he even wanted to be saved from dying. His name... Goldhawk... Sergeant Horatio Finnian Sanders... he'd always worn it with pride.

He shook his head weakly.