They both remained still, gasping and staring at each other. A trembling smile found its way to his lips, and Maeve let out a shaky breath, relieved, as tears filled his eyes. Still connected, she sensed him longing to meet his loved one, to learn about the fate of his friends. They could reunite once more.
His voice quavered, straining to find the words. “I-I am... y-you—” But their newfound peace shattered. The warrior’s body convulsed, and his teary, grateful eyes went wide in fear once more.
Maeve screamed and took her hands off his face. His fear invaded her and made her recoil. What was wrong? Was he in too much pain? They fought the dust away. Why did he still suffer?
But then she saw it—a blade piercing the mountain warrior’s heart. Hakken had jumped to her aid at the last moment, terrified beyond reason. In his fear, he didn’t see the danger was gone. He slew the man who had just regained his freedom.
Realizing their terrible mistake, Maeve took a step back, clenching her fists, and screamed. “No, no!”
Hakken let go of his knife, dodging the mountain warrior and running to her side. But when he tried to hold her, she pushed him away. She couldn’t believe the dreadful turn of events. The poor, tortured man lay dead.
“Are you hurt?” Hakken took her by her arms, pulling her to face him. He only wanted to protect her, but she had experienced every ounce of fear, pain, and that fleeting hope from the man—a few seconds of happiness and relief. And then the fathomless, desolating sadness when he realized he was dying.
His now empty eyes stared at her from the ground, and she couldn’t take it. “You killed him! He was free, and you killed him!” she yelled.
Hakken, standing right in front of her, let his arms fall by his side while catching his breath. Comprehending what he had done, horror filled his eyes. He didn’t try to move, reach her, explain. It was more than he could bear, and his face contorted in grief. He gasped, falling to his knees. “I’m sorry...”
Too stricken for words, Regn joined them. Overwhelmed by despair, the three slumped, wordless, while Maeve’s sobs echoed in the ravine.
After what felt like an eternity, Hakken was the first one to move. “We should bury him and keep going.” His voice sounded empty, detached of emotion, but the tortured look in his face showed how much this kill had affected him. “I-I’ll do it.”
“No.” Maeve dried her tears and pinned Hakken with an unflinching stare. “You must leave, Hakken. Go back to the village.”
Her heart clenched when surprise and pain flashed in his eyes. She looked away, trying to remain firm; otherwise, she wouldn’t be able to send him back. “I understand you just wanted to protect me, but if you wouldn’t have been so rash, he might still be alive.”
“Maeve—” Regn took a step forward, trying to reason with her.
“No.” She wouldn’t yield. “We are trying to save them. We can’t give in to fear.” Her eyes landed on Hakken’s once more. “Hakken, please. Go back.”
He wrapped his arms around her with a little too much force, holding to her in desperation. “No, please, Maeve! I’m so sorry, I won’t be this reckless again, I promise! I can’t be away from you now!”
“I’m sorry, Hakken. I don’t want to leave you.” She feared she had to hurt him to make him understand. “But I need help to do this, and you are only causing damage.”
His body went stiff before slightly parting from her. Aghast, Hakken searched her face, pleading. Maeve escaped his gaze. She wouldn’t have the strength to let him go once she looked into his eager eyes.
Gently pushing his hands off her, she whispered. “Please... go.” Maeve was the first one to walk away. She turned her back on Hakken and began looking for a branch strong enough to dig with.
After a moment, she heard his footsteps stopping next to Regn, and he muttered. “Take care of her.” The pain coming from him was so debilitating, she had to lean against a tree to keep her footing. When the awful feeling vanished in the distance, all her resolve blew away. She clenched both fists over her chest, shaking again with painful sobs.
Hakken was gone.
CHAPTER XXXVII
POINTLESS BEAUTY
Regn
He had wanted to be alone with Maeve for so long, out of Hakken’s reach. But now, with Hakken gone, it felt wrong. They worked in silence, digging a grave for the unfortunate man. Only the sound of birds, their tools hitting the soil, and Maeve’s occasional whimpers, disturbed the ravine stillness.
Hearing her cry made him uneasy and clumsy. Her sadness reached him, so strong he sensed it without even touching her. Or maybe he was just as sad. He wanted to hug Maeve, reassure her. Promise her he would make sure she could smile again. But the long-awaited opportunity to grow close to his beautiful friend felt like a betrayal.
They carried the body to the open grave; Maeve insisted on helping. After they finished covering him with dirt and rocks, they sat on the ground in quiet contemplation.
Ever since he lost his family, the ingrained emptiness inside of him prevented him from growing.
When he arrived at the village as an orphan, he was protected, nurtured, and loved. Kniv became something close to a father figure, and—he would never acknowledge this out loud—he thought of Hakken as an older brother. A taciturn, difficult older brother, who always pushed him away.
But it didn’t matter how well they treated Regn or the love this new tribe showed him. Something was missing.
It wasn’t until he opened up about his family’s death with Maeve, he realized what he lacked all these years. A kindred spirit. Someone to talk to about his darkest secrets, his
