Lira smiled softly, brushing a hand across his cheek. "I'm fine," she said again. Her voice was calm, grounding. "Nothing… nothing that matters. I had Serelyth. She kept me safe. The shard burned a little, but it's fine. Truly."
Renkai's shoulders sagged as a single sob escaped him. He buried his face against her neck, holding her as if letting go might shatter them both. "I just… I just hate that I wasn't there with you. I felt so helpless."
Lira's arms tightened around him. "You were always with me, even when you weren't by my side. Your love… your presence… it followed me. Always. Don't feel guilty."
He lifted his head slightly, wiping the tears streaking down his face, and looked into her eyes—red-rimmed, yet filled with relief and love. "I just… I never want to let you go again."
"Nor I," Lira whispered, pressing her forehead to his. "We're together now. That's all that matters."
