Tarni glanced at him. Elic was scowling bitterly at his hands, absently plucking the edge of the counterpane. "I don't think so," she said, sniffling some more. "You're a good man. I've watched you. You care about the people you're loyal to." "Who I evidently can't protect," he said. "I mean, look at you. I couldn't keep you safe today, and that just..." He shook his head, staring away from her.
