It almost breaks Raine's heart, watching him; and again when she sees that look on his face. She shakes her head, slow and gravely apologetic. "He was here, for a little while," she confirms. "He's returned to his home now, however."

Which, all told, is a delicate way to say he was already dead. Raine presses her lips together for a moment, a flat, unhappy line. "I'm sorry," she offers, when she can find the words. "I know what he means to you. I can tell you he forgave you, if that's any comfort." It might be some, even if it was scant.