[ Old World – The unknown Woods Beyond the Cave ]
Orion's arms locked around Autumn's trembling body, lifting her with a grunt.
She was slick with blood, too hot against his chest, too fragile in his arms for someone who had always been a wildfire.
Her head lolled against his shoulder. Her voice shattered him, "My baby… I left her there… I left my baby there, Orion…I am a horrible mother…I…"
His jaw clenched so hard he thought his teeth might snap. "Stop it. Don't say that shit. You didn't leave her…"
"I did!" Autumn's voice cracked. Her claws dug into his arm, weak but desperate. "I let her go. She needed me…but I gave up…" She broke into a sob so violent her whole body jerked. "I chose to leave her…"
