Page 130 of Of Rime and Ruin

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Again!

How could I let it happen twice?

I am a monster.

Monster.

Unworthy.

Beast.

I cower in the back of his mind, where I can become small.

Invisible.

Maybe, if I disappear, she will be safe from me.

Maybe I should let the healer win.

But his magic hurts.

Pain.

Searing pain.

He finds me in the depths of the king’s mind, wrapping around my core, and rips.

Through the king’s mouth, I roar.

I clamber to hold fast. Sink my claws into the darkness. Maintain my grasp.

The healer pulls harder.

Harder.

Pain.

Tearing me in half.

Nahla opens her mouth and sings.

I feel the brush of her mind, barely.

Don’t do this, she says. Her voice is like sunlight through mist on the Rime, breaking me apart.

I ache to hear it.

Why not?

Doesn’t she want to be safe?

“Aethan, stop!”she screams with mind and mouth.

She pushes from the floor. Legs weak. Wobbly.

The healer has hurt her.

No. I did that.

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