Taking the glass of water to ease his parched throat, Shay leaned forward and drank from the glass, thankful for the cool, clear liquid that might as well been gold in his eyes at that point. 

“I didn’t mean to worry you, Vera. I tried to save you from those men, to buy you time. It wasn't your fault, they came looking for a fight." he said soothingly. His eyes moistened as he broke eye contact, suddenly recollecting. "I didn’t even look to see if you were safe.” Shay lamented, eyes downcast in his shame. “I am sorry for making you worry, how terrified and lonely you must have been when you escaped. I just couldn’t bear to think of what those men would have done if they laid hands on you. I killed to keep you safe once, I was willing to do so again if it killed me.” He said, wincing as his arm spiked in pain as if to accentuate the sentiment. 

Setting the glass down, Shay reached out to hold Vera’s cheek, the skin soft and smooth to his rough, callused hand and invitingly warm. With a thumb, he wiped away a tear, the upturn of a smile trying its best to reassure her. “I might have been, if not for you. You came for me. I’m here because you came back. I was so concerned about protecting you; I never imagined how much I’d need you to protect me. I owe you my life, Vera. I will never forget that.”