He’d broken his promise.
“I didn’t keep you safe.” He pulled his hand out of hers and looked away, unable to meet her eyes.
“T’arq?”
He looked down at his hands. He had promised Zac and Laila he’d keep her safe, that he’d look out for her. But, more importantly, he promised her that nothing would happen to her. That the trip would be routine. And she’d almost died.
She had trusted him and look what had happened!
“I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for you.”
T’arq felt his insides twist at her words. Of that, he was absolutely certain. His actions had put her in this hospital bed. He could have found another way to test her cloak. He could have refused to follow the Xakul fighters. He could have pulled away. It was all his fault. Everything was his fault.
Krystal had almost died because of him.
He took a deep breath and squeezed his eyes shut, not wanting to see her face. He couldn’t cope if he looked at her and saw accusation in her eyes. “I know,” he said, a hitch in his voice, his face pale. He swallowed. “It won’t happen again.” He fought to get the words out before turning and leaving the room.
“T’arq!” she called out after him.
He paused in the doorway, his back to her, then squared his shoulders, turned and left.
