—you're so much braver than I am," Vaduin murmured, his nose buried in my hair and his breath hot against my scalp. His voice eased the agonizing tension in my throat—drew me away from the clawing memories. "I've run away from all the worst parts of my life, but you plant your feet and face them down like a dragon against a knight," he continued. He'd been talking for a while, I realized; talking me out of my panic. "I was furious that Faery had torn my scarred soul open again for you, so certain I would have to protect you when all I wanted was to flee. But you protected me. You fought
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