It didn't work.
I couldn't save him.
I hadn't been perceptive enough for Elion, or fast enough for Taegen.
And for Simon…I wasn't strong enough—
Simon sucked in a loud lungful of air, his eyes tearing open. He coughed madly as the dense air pushed into his airways. Hope widened my gaze. Seeing him alive encouraged more magic out of me. I huffed an astonished and weary laugh, shaking my head while I looked at him. And I lowered him just enough to wipe his bruised face, my tears falling onto him and mixing with the dried blood and dirt.
Simon's breathing settled. "R…Ruith," he rasped. He squeezed my arm as if to ensure I was really me and we were really here. Together. Despite everything.
