Kendrick carried her straight to her room, shifting back to human form only when they reached her door. He grabbed a blanket from the hallway closet still naked but clearly not caring wrapped it around himself, and followed her inside.
Ashina collapsed onto her bed. The crying had subsided into hollow numbness, worse than the tears because at least sobbing had been something.
"I'm going to get Zara," Kendrick said quietly.
"No"
"You need someone, and it shouldn't be me." He moved toward the door. "I'll send her up."
"Kendrick, wait." Ashina sat up, pulling her knees to her chest. "Thank you. For coming." Her throat closed around the words.
His expression softened. "Always."
He left, and Ashina heard his footsteps retreating down the hall. Heard a door open and close his room, probably, getting dressed. Then his presence disappeared from the manor entirely through the bond, moving fast and purposeful across the territory.
Ten minutes later, footsteps thundered up the stairs.
