EMBER’S POV

I’ve got tears going now too. I open my mouth anyway.

“Honestly, it’s only half done, the blood-lotus hasn’t even-”

“Thank you.”

“No, listen, you don’t have to-”

“Thank you.” It comes out of her, torn and shaking, almost swallowed by a sob. “Thank you, Ember. Thank you. Thank you for whatever delusional hope kept you going. Thank you for fighting this hard for it. For me.” Her voice breaks completely. “Just… thank you.”

And I’m half out of my seat to get to her, because I have never once been able to sit still while somebody cries like that, and she shakes her head at me hard...