Parting

"Nonsense," he said, and kissed my cheek for the first time. "You obeyed."

"I left before I played," I said at last.

"You ran." He coughed, and smiled for the last time. "Hope is lost."

He closed his eyes, and a nurse took me from his deathbed. Outside the room, Ancra held me and whispered through tears: "I'm sorry, Olivia." I leaned against him, lest I fall under my own limp weight.