But I couldn’t lift him.
Every movement drew a moan of agony from deep in his chest.
“Come on, Finn. Please.”
“Elle… just go. Leave me here. Let me die.”
“I can’t!” I choked out. “The Shades saw me, Finn. They’ll be here soon. Please, help me.”
His eyes widened. “The Shades? No—Elle, no.”
He tried to stand, but his body betrayed him. The pain hit hard, and he collapsed onto the packed earth, his head striking with a sickening thud. Blood trickled from a fresh cut on his brow.
I fell to my knees beside him, weeping, helpless.
“I’m so sorry, little mouse,” he whispered. “I should’ve told you how bad it was.” His eyes found mine, soft and shining with something that broke my heart. “You know I can’t go with you. Not like this. But you can go.”
I gripped his hand, trembling. “I’d rather die here with you than spend the rest of my life running—alone.”
“I know you would, Elle. I know.” His voice was barely a whisper. “But you were always meant for something more. Something greater than this life. Greater than me.”
“Don’t say that” I breathed. “I love you, Finn. You’re my family. The only one I’ve ever known.”
He exhaled a ragged breath, pain etched into every sound. “And now I’m a liability,” he said, wincing. “You can’t save me. Not this time.”
I bit back the tears burning behind my eyes. “Then I’ll stay with you.”
I felt so small beside him, like a child again—helpless in a world that never stopped taking. I just wrapped my arms around him and held on tight. He didn’t resist.
After a moment, he murmured, “Can you do me a favour?”
“Anything,” I whispered.
“Will you sing to me?” His voice cracked. “I always loved it… when you sing.”
I forced a trembling smile through the ache in my throat. “Of course.”
I closed my eyes and let the soft tune flow.
“Down by the river where the wild winds sigh,
Lived a maiden fair with a star in her eye.
She danced in the dusk, bare feet on the stone,
And sang to the moon when the night left her lone.
Oh silver moon, so high, so wide,
Take me with you o’er the tide.
I'll trade my voice, I’ll trade my tune,
Just let me lie in love with the moon.
She spoke to him soft through the hush of the trees,
With lips full of longing and songs on the breeze.
