Kaelen's knees hit the stone floor hard enough to bruise him, but he didn't feel the pain. His hands hovered over his father's burned chest, trembling with the desperate need to help and the terrible knowledge that he might already be too late.
"Father!" The word tore from his throat like a prayer.
Beside him, Lyren dropped down as well, his face pale as death itself. The golden fire that had burned in his eyes moments ago was gone, replaced by pure horror. His hands reached for their father, then pulled back as if afraid his touch might cause more damage.
"What did I do?" Lyren whispered. "What did I do?"
Lord Valerius's eyes flickered open. His breathing was shallow and ragged, each exhale a struggle that made his whole-body shudder. The burns across his chest were severe…angry red flesh already blistering, the smell of charred skin filling the room.
