“I’m sorry I couldn’t stay, solntse.” His hand came up and stroked my hair. The touch was so weak compared to the strength of the man I knew. “I love you, Scar. I love you with every fiber of my being and every beat of my heart. Death won’t take away how I feel for you. Take care of them,” he rasped, the words barely above a whisper, as if it hurt to speak. “Niko?” I pulled my face from his neck. “Niko?” Panic stung my throat. “No!” I roared. He lay unmoving, head lolled to the side—chest unmoving.
