He leaned against the rock, her forearms braced on his bent knees before him. He watched her curiously as she washed and hydrated, then took her rest. Having slept the entire day, he was wide awake, but he closed his eyes regardless, enjoying the silence, And allowing his body to rest. His chest still felt as though something had cracked and broken inside, the elf's attack cutting deeper than flesh. 

In the black behind his eyelids, he could see the sand growing dark with blood, smell flames and burning flesh, hear the screams of children echoing in an underground cavern. Her beautiful face surface within it, tearing his heart in two. One half filled with joy at seeing her smile, the other shattered into pieces knowing the lies and betrayal those perfect lips held.  Her face, those blood-red eyes, but for a second, they shifted into that of another, blue-black hair framing an unnaturally pale face, deep amethyst eyes peering at him in shame and distrust as she turned away from him, leaving him in the dark. He could feel his own flesh tearing, burning, taste blood, hear the cracks of whips, wailing cries of infants taking their first breath.

She spoke, and he opened his eyes. Blinking, he raised his head, looking around. He'd forgotten where he was, and glanced around the dark oasis. He'd enjoyed coming here often long ago, in another lifetime. It was peaceful. Could be again, if she stopped talking. From across the space between them, he stared at her, mouth pulled down in the corners in a frown. 

He could leave her here. Take up the invitation to keep his word, and take himself back to Ziad. Or he could follow the rest. Face them. Beg forgiveness for what he'd done. 
Oh, but she could use magic to get back. His nostrils flared as he reminded himself. Leaving her here would do little but give him a head start. 
If he really meant to kill her, he'd have left her in the city. 
Or let the elves do the job for him. 
He grunted and closed his eyes again, letting his head fall back against the stone once more. 

After another long silence, he cleared his throat experimentally. "Kartaian." He rasped. He cleared his throat again, trying to clear his voice.