"Hopefully it pleases you to know that I've made that decision on my own. I agree that I've imbibed far too heavily of late, and I do intend to cleanse my body. I only wish cleansing the soul were as simple," Renz replied.

Lena exhaled fully then, releasing the tension in her shoulders, but the gesture seemed to target a hidden, sharp soreness at the back of her neck she hadn't yet noticed.

Renz made a motion to step towards her, to comfort her, but he soon decided against it. Lena felt both relieved and guilty that he felt compelled to keep his distance.

"Are you badly hurt?" Renz asked....