"I know." Cullen is a devoted man; he would do anything to be here with when he--when Cai--just thinking the words makes her want to weep again.

Betrys starts reaching under the fur and fabric of his surcoat to find the fastenings keeping his armor on his chest. More than anything, she needs to feel the warmth of his chest against her, the expansion of his ribs as he breathes. She needs to be able to feel his life inside him, not just his chest plate.

"They said...they said we did everything we could have. That it couldn't be helped." I'm trembling, she realizes after she speaks, but there's nothing she can do to stop herself.