••{RHIANNON'S POV}••
I don't know how long I've been sitting here.
The forest feels endless, quiet in a way that presses in on my ears until the silence becomes noise of its own. My legs are numb beneath me. My back aches. My arms burn from holding her so tightly, but I don't loosen my grip.
I can't.
Nayeesha is still breathing.
But barely.
Her body is limp against mine, her head tucked beneath my chin, her dark hair tangled in my fingers. Every breath she takes is shallow, faint enough that I keep holding my own breath just to make sure I don't miss it. Each rise of her chest feels smaller than the last.
Tears slide down my cheeks and drip onto her skin. I don't wipe them away. I don't even try to stop crying. The sound stays locked in my throat, silent sobs shaking my shoulders while I hold her like I can keep her alive just by refusing to let go.
"Please don't leave me all alone," I whisper. "Please…"
I press my forehead against her temple and squeeze my eyes shut.
