Varnel's hand moved toward her face.
"Now look at what you made me do."
The moment his hand got close, Khana recoiled in panic.
"N-no! No, please—" she sobbed, crawling back weakly.
"…Khana."
This time, his voice was cold again.
As she heard it, she froze instantly, her mouth snapping shut as a wave of fear surged through her body.
Varnel reached out and gently pulled her arms apart. Then he wrapped her into a hug.
"You did this to yourself," he whispered as he brushed a hand through her blood-soaked hair. "This is your fault."
Khana didn't respond. She just kept sobbing in his arms.
"I-it hurts…" she choked out. "It h-hurts, Varnel…"
Varnel's hand continued stroking her hair.
"It's alright," he whispered softly. "The pain is only temporary. You'll feel good as new by tomorrow."
But Khana still continued to cry.
"It's alright," Varnel repeated, his voice sounding tender. "I'll make sure nothing happens to you."
He pulled her closer.
"I love you," he murmured.
