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His hopes had been dashed

“We’ll have a better life” I went to his other side and took his hand “We will, someday”

I felt his forehead Cool The fever was down His eyes were a bit bloodshot, but they were clearing

He smiled at me before his lids drooped “Yes, ill at that, Finley”

“Can I speak to you in the living room?” Hannon asked softly

“Yeah, of course” I followed hih h?”

“Honestly…I shouldn’t have said that It’s too early to know But even if it’s not, it’s a huge step in the right direction A huge step, Finley We’ll wait to see how much of the sickness is cleared, and then we’ll have a better idea”

“If it isn’t cured, then it gets dicey,” I said,down my cheeks “It would h But I can’t just top him up That’s not how the crowded plant works, I don’t think Da so soon I need more information”

Hannon squeezed ht’ve left sooner than you wanted, but he was ulti his life, you were able to save Father And eventually the other villagers”

“And you’re suddenly A-okay with hied has been dropped?”

“Forgiven, not forgotten I don’t hold grudges quite like you do…”

I scowled at hiot your stuff—”

“Our stuff You’re not doing errands just for me—”

“Yeah, yeah, you knohat Idoith the sickness, and they don’t have any everlass I need to get hio to the Forbidden Wood again”

“When?”

I glanced out the“I could either hurry now and try to get back by dark, or go later when the wood is…possibly being cleared by a lion”

“Go now If Nyfain was as bad off as you said, I doubt he’ll be ht Make hi ointments Leave them at the field if you don’t see him He’s bound to stop by”

I stood there like an idiot “Why would he stop by?”

Hannon shrugged “He seeive them up because of duty and honor Men claim to be that noble, but when it comes to a woman…they rarely are”