It had been centuries since anyone had clung to him this way. "I am truly sorry. I am."
She pulled back just enough to look into his face, still streaked with tears but steely with resolve. "Promise me you will try."
Morvakar hesitated—for a fraction of a second. Then he nodded. "I promise."
"Is there anything I can do to ease his pain?" she asked.
Morvakar finally gave her the first true smile he'd worn all day. It was crooked. Oddly charming. "Well, that I can do." He stepped back, rolling his neck dramatically. "But I should warn you, it's going to hurt a bit. So, please don't stab me again."
Luna managed a weak laugh through her sobs. "You do deserve to be stabbed, if we are being honest."
"True," he agreed, and then spread his hands wide.