Noctisardor Bypass laksen

It was unpleasant to think of dragging Druid back here dead. Anselm ruminated, a frown deepening across his face.

He could tell something was missing. It wasn't in anything Heda said -- but maybe he saw a ghost of disappointment briefly darkening the ivory lines of her narrow face.

Anselm's heart - oh, his barbed, brittle heart - sank to see Heda look away with her eyes scorched by tears. But he could not stop it. Even if he wanted to, the chasm between them had grown so wide he was scared to leap across it. What if he was turned away? What if she found a lioness' courage within and pressed him with teeth?

He remained still though he felt shameful for it. I can bring Druid back. Anselm suddenly offered, feeling a prick of masculine obligation stir him. It would be his duty, it was his duty -- to act as guardian to the last surviving members of his thinning cohort.