The question struck Lindarion harder than any physical blow. Nysha grabbed his collar immediately. "Do not answer that. Do not even think about answering that."
The being reached out, its hand hovering near Lindarion's cheek. The gesture wasn't threatening. It was hesitant, fragile, like someone afraid their touch would break what they hoped to hold.
"Please," the being whispered, its voice cracking with something achingly human, "don't leave me alone again."
Lindarion felt every part of himself split—his bloodline, his instincts, his magic, his humanity—each pulling in a different direction. For the first time since arriving in this world, he realized he no longer knew which part of him was truly his own.
