But she only had eyes for Rune. Falling to her knees, she gathered him in her arms. Miraculously, he was still breathing, and still awake. His eyes fluttered open, and the corner of his mouth twitched. A hesitant joy pressed at Elma’s heart, wanting to be let in. “You’d better not die,” she said, hot tears streaming down her face, “or I’ll follow you into the after and drag you back here to me.” “I have no doubt,” Rune said, squinting up at her, still half smiling. “But how embarrassing for me, to need saving by a Volta.” Elma laughed through her tears, kissing his brow, brushing the hair out
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