LOREN
Sense was returning slowly, to Melita, but not nearly quickly enough for Loren’s tastes. Indeed, he was fully aware that at any moment, the Rose’s magic might run out, and the red-headed woman might succumb to the blight once more. Still, he wanted to stay at least long enough to find out if she was healthy and whole, and if there was anything he could do for her. As she apologized, though, he shook his head. ”She knows. I promise you she knows. But I’ll tell her.” Hesitating, he glanced at the flower in his hands. ”Listen, I’m sorry, but I don’t know how long I should stay. If you’re not hurt, and that’s your only message, I need to get the Rose to safety. But...hang in there, okay? We’re working on the cure, and we will save you from this.” He sank as much conviction into those words as he could manage; hopefully she’d believe him.A beggar's book
outworths
a noble's blood
