"Look at me."
Rolan squeezed his eyes shut, body shaking, heart in his throat. He couldn't face Rugan now. Not after the way all his hopes and dreams had been crushed.
"Look at me, little bird."
He felt callused fingertips at his chin, straightening his head. Tears started to burn his eyes as he heard Rugan's sharp intake of air.
"By the Black Hand of Bane, what happened to you?" the man whispered with concern. "Did he do this to you?"
"Just– Let me go," Rolan choked out, freeing himself from his grasp.
"He put his hands on you, didn't he?" Rugan growled, anger rising.
The wizard opened his eyes to see the man's feature harden with hatred. It seized Rolan at the throat to see such a strong emotion on Rugan, though he refused to examine it.
"Please don't make it worse," Rolan begged, tears threatening to fall.
Rugan gently drew him into his arms.
"I'll only make it worse for him, promise."
