The muffled air of the medicine den left a bitter, stale taste in Bloodwing's beak as he huddled against the hard wood, tail feathers bunched against the wall. His face crinkled in protest, but his grey eyes never left their watchful vigil. Even as the sun began to spurt oranges and reds into the darkening sky, Bloodwing remained unmoving, silent as he stared hopelessly down at the limp form next to him.
The deep gold feathers of Ambersong had become dull, matted, and brittle, even as her body had sunk, depleted itself into an emaciated, frail existence. Her crown was pale, waxy, and shrunken, and her eyes were always closed. The slow rise and fall of her chest was the only sign of life.
Finally, it was too much.
With a sudden jerk of his head, Bloodwing looked away, closing his eyes and consorting with the dark comfort of his own closed eyelids. It was all his fault that Ambersong was like this. He had been such an idiot to think that his friend could keep her safe--he'd been naive, foolish. And now his daughter was paying the price.
"I'm sorry, Amber," he stroked her head with one flight feather, imagining a time when she could fit neatly into the fold of his wing, her happy, smiling face peering up at him.
As Bloodwing withdrew his wing, he glanced about the room with wet eyes. He hadn't felt so helpless since the old days, when everyone was dying. But there had been an excuse at that time: war. Now, there was none. There was no reason Ambersong should be in this dark place, dying, falling away from him with every breath. Cold, hard anger burned in his chest.
Lost in his broody reverie, he didn't notice the faint cough emenating from his left. He almost didn't hear the raspy, feeble grumble. Almost.
"Daddy?"
Bloodwing's eyes widened. He turned, and found his gaze met by two tired, but alive, gray eyes.