"Do that again and we're done."
La'an's quiet, rigid, white-lipped fury draining her face. Chapel tries to sit up, only makes it to her elbows. It's dumb luck she's alive, she knows that.
Knows nothing would have saved La'an.
"It just… happened." She'd seen the rockslide, reacted without thinking.
"It never happens again. You don't…" La'an's fists clench as she chokes, tries to breathe around what she can't say. "You promised."
"I'm sorry." Chapel reaches until La'an takes her hand, eases her back onto the bed.
"You're not."
She isn't. Never will be.
You don't get to leave me behind.