Duskfire Glacier through the darkness

he was there to hold her. and he wished he could stay longer, but he knew that come dawn, things would change. he would go to fight and he would leave her behind, trusting in the gods to not yet take her from him.
not when he had only just gotten her. the gods could not be so cruel. his god could not be so cruel; not when blackfell had been so faithful. so devout.
was this punishment? must he atone?
it is in his open arms that he cradles her, careful not to disturb the wounds that cloud her. to see her throat marred in such a way—it chills him. there is no fire to thaw what ice consumes, there is only coldness left.
they would feel his sting. every last one of them. retribution was coming.
i do not cry. he assures her, though it is with all his strength to not. strength; she needed now. she needed him to be strong. to hold fast. to keep himself together. i am only sorry that i was not there. he whispers.
i showed him mercy when i should not have. i faltered. this is my fault. a stagger in his resolve, then. dropping to his knees in all but reality. forgive me.