Mel's knees gave out, a sound of frustration escaping his lips. He was slumped on the ground, and instantly the three of us crouched to level with him.
"Mel!" Ivan put a hand on his back, worried. "Are you okay?"
Mel took in a shuddering breath. "I-I can't believe I'm still scared of him."
He'd said that, but I remembered how he was willing to go against Tyron just to reclaim the pouch of silver. He stood his ground for me, despite his fears—despite how hard he trembled beside me, and despite how Tyron's mere presence caused him to go pale. For that, I thought he was very brave.
