The words 'she died' made Tess blink. The burning sensation in her eyes made her know she hadn't done so for minutes. Lanse's grip on her upper arms tightened and he continued to talk.
"She got blasted by a Priman soldier during a trade. Two measly blasts ended her. When I got the news, I was devastated. There came the pain again… Pain I never get over."
He sighed and released the grip on her arms. His next words made her hear the whispering wind and rattling branches again.
"I learnt my lesson. Don't get close to people who are going to die on you."
Tess's pursed lips unfolded but didn't curl up from the distaste. That was the lesson he got from all that? How about not to wink at MS offs! She took a deep breath and turned around to face his dark red eyes. He kept looking down at something, but she didn't look to see what it was.
She gently brushed one side of his cheek and said, "Cooper, I am humbled you shared that."
