Even though her body and soul were still corrupted, her mere touch able to destroy my body if she held me long enough, I did not fight Amari's sleepy embrace. My waxy green flesh smoldered and cracked underneath her blackened fingers as she held me. The newly-regenerated briarheart beating hard and fast inside my chest kicked into gear, sending out pulses of healing energy to fix the damage the scarlet-haired assassin was causing.

I just laid there, completely stunned, unsure of what to do.

The Maddy from several.... how ever long I was out--the unit of measurements for those; days, weeks, months, whatever--however many of those ago would've punched hundreds of sharp, poisoned thorns into her soft, pale flesh. Then I would've scolded her and wagged a briar-knit finger in the air while she writhed on the floor a bleeding, dizzy, nauseous mess.

But... Even though she was unknowingly trying to kill me again (and doing a poor job of it, I might add!), I felt something odd stirring inside me. Something foreign and unfamiliar.

I couldn't stop myself from wrapping my arms around the woman as she nestled her face in the space between my neck and shoulder. I pulled Amari closer, closing my eyes and breathing in deep. I... I missed her dearly. I shouldn't have pulled her into the airship. Shouldn't have forced her to slaughter a village and then me in an attempt to end my existence. I couldn't imagine what she must've gone through since then. Being forced to tear your best friend's heart out and completely atomize her body can't be good for your mental state.

These suspicions were confirmed when the Ar'Tuel finally realized what was going on, tumbled out of bed, and summoned up a couple crimson snakes ready to bite the shit out of me.

While the assassin woke up in a hurry, I rolled over to the edge of the bed and sat up, elbows resting on my knees, a soft glow in my amber eyes. I sat there in complete silence while Amari let me have it, screaming at the top of her lungs, her disbelief of my unwanted resurrection bleeding over into pure hysteria about how I died but didn't take her with me. I winced as she latched onto my shoulders, shaking me, smoke rising from where my flesh was burning away bit by bit. But I remained silent. Let her get it out of her system.

It wasn't long before she broke down completely, the initial shock beginning to wear off. In that moment I could see how exhausted the woman was, her head hung low, red locks of hair cascading down and covering up her face. Her whispered admission cut me to my core. Those three words, "I missed you", made me realize how much of a selfish idiot I was that day in the snowy wastes, covered in blood and death.

All I ever wanted was the best for her. A poor noble's daughter, touched by a lineage left by the wayside by the march of time, kidnapped and coerced by a madman who molded her into his personal assassin and mother to his heir. In my own insanity, I thought stoking the corrupting fires that burned inside her until she exploded was the answer to both her problems and mine. But something kept Amari alive--and she continued to suffer, Lichensith's plans continuing to unfold all around her, nobody for her to confide in, nobody to save her.

...Gods above, I'm an asshole.

An awkward stinging sensation in my eyes reminded me that I had tear ducts, and they too had regrown. My shoulder protested as I reached up, grabbing the woman by the back of her head and weaving my fingers into her hair. Slowly, I urged her closer, until I could press my forehead against hers.

I closed my eyes before whispering, "Amari... I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have done that to you."

Had I said anything more, the cracks in my voice would've given way to sobbing. Can't be doing that; I have an image to maintain.