Skulduggery squeezes her close. He knows the feeling, can relate to it more than he'd care to admit. Pain becomes more comfortable the longer you're in it, and both of them have been settled into it for most of their lives.

"I was worried that you might have vanished," he admits. "And I'm thankful that you're still here. Even if you'd rather be gone -- we still need you here." Fio would be heartbroken, and he can only imagine how poorly Maximilien would take it if she were to disappear. Selfishly, he knows he would take it worst of all.

"Each day is harder than the last, I know. But it... can be easier, with others around to share the weight."