[ His sadness is met by a look of understanding as she nods. They are doing the most that they can do. The fact he can even think to look at her the way he does and try to hold her speaks more than words at the moment. Her fingers move from pressing against his scar to gently rubbing at the site instead. ]

I see. [ She takes it to mean yes, but then everything must be hurting still. ] I'll do what I can to ease it.

[ Alkaid tilts her head so she can kiss the top of his. A shiver comes from where he presses. He always finds a way to make her react even now. She nuzzles her nose into his hair and simply sits as she is for a moment, eyes closed, trying to absorb everything she can in this moment. She believes they will find a cure and he will be free of enthrallment; that everyone will be. Yet, the realist in her cannot help but consider the idea that they may not have much time left together. ]

I love you. [ Her lips press another kiss to his head. ] I have never been good enough at expressing it to you. Just know, that no matter what happens, and where fate may take us, that I love you.

I'm not certain I would have survived what happened in Norvrandt if I didn't have the knowledge we'd be married. No matter how dark things were, how hopeless it was, I knew I had to come home to you. M-maybe that will not help you now... m-maybe I cling to it too much... but I still hold onto that. Even now.