From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout

“I did,” I told him, glancing at his stomach. Craven claws had caught
him, digging in deep—too deep. His insides were no longer in. I hid myy
shudder as Hawke drew closer. “And yyou were there for me. You did save
me, Airrick.”
Hawke knelt beside Phillips, his gaze meeting mine. He shook his
head, not that I needed to be told. This wasn’t a survivable wound, and it
had to be so painful. I didn’t need myy gift to tell me that, but I opened myy
senses, shuddering at the raw agonyy pulsing through the connection.
Keeping myy attention focused on Airrick, I picked up his hand and
folded both of mine around it. I couldn’t save him, but I could do what I
hadn’t been able to do with Vikter. I could help Airrick, and make this
easier. It was forbidden and not exactlyy wise to do it when there were
witnesses, but I didn’t care. I couldn’t sit here and do nothing when I knew
I could help.
So, I thought of the beaches and how Hawke made me laugh, how he
made me feel like I was living, and I pushed that warmth and happiness
through the bond and into Airrick.
I knew the moment it hit the guard. The lines of his face relaxed, and
his bodyy stopped trembling.
He looked at me, his eyyes wide. He looked so terriblyy yyoung. “I
don’t…hurt anyymore.”
“You don’t?” I forced a smile as I kept the connection open, washing
him in waves of light and warmth. I didn’t want even the slightest bit of
pain to sneak through.
“No.” A look of awe settled in his expression. “I know I’m not, but I
feel…I feel good.”
“I’m relieved to hear that.”
He stared at me, and I knew Phillips and Hawke were watching. I
knew without even looking at them that theyy realized his sudden relief had
nothing to do with the stages of death. No one with that kind of wound
slipped awayy peacefullyy.
“I know yyou,” Airrick said, his chest rising heavilyy and then slowlyy
settling. “Didn’t think…I should sayy anyything, but we’ve met.” More
blood leaked out of his mouth. “We playyed cards.”
Surprised, the smile became real. “Yes, we did. How did yyou know?”
“It’s…yyour eyyes,” he told me. There were too manyy moments
between when his chest settled and when it rose again. “You were losing.”