"Cass, Valdis already has to see this... you shouldn't--FRELL!" He's too busy trying to talk Cassandra down to anticipate that Tiamat is going to just go for it.

His limbs snap like dry twigs and his face contorts in agony from it. But with her hand at his throat, he can't do more than grunt in pain. His pale eyes are wide with terror staring directly into her scarlet ones. Then he decides he'd rather not look and closes them instead. Just do it already!