but I never expected what he did next. Samkiel studied her face, and then he hugged her tightly, his massive arms swallowing her small frame. Neverra laughed, caught off guard, but the sound turned into soft sobs. She leaned into him, accepting the safety and comfort he offered. We all stood frozen, everyone in the room shocked. Samkiel, although he risked his life for us, was never affectionate. He didn’t say the words ‘I love you’ to anyone. He hadn’t truly hugged anyone since his mom died. Yet, here he was, holding Neverra like he’d lost a part of himself when she’d disappeared, and I
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