I should be grateful.
I should be relieved.
But all I feel is hollow.
And guilty as sin.
I slide down the wall until I’m sitting on the floor, Aria still pressed tight against my chest.
The engines thrum louder as we break atmosphere.
The ship jolts.
Joren yelps and scrambles into Kelli’s arms.
She holds him close, murmuring soft words into his hair.
Words I can’t quite hear.
Don’t deserve to hear.
Not yet.
Not with the way my guts are twisting.
I should’ve seen it.
Should’ve fought harder.
Should’ve found another way.
Anything but letting her go up in flames to buy us a few goddamn breaths.
Kelli looks at me.
Really looks at me.
And it cuts deep.
Because she don’t see a hero.
She sees a man carrying too many ghosts on his back.
And she’s right.
I lean my head back against the wall, squeezing my eyes shut.
"I failed her," I grind out, voice low and rough.
"You didn’t," Kelli says, steady.
"Could’ve found another way."
"You did everything you could."
I shake my head.
Feel the burn of guilt slicing under my ribs.