Sunneva nods. She reaches out to rest a hand on Cole's shoulder, before letting her hand slide to rub his back a little. "Cullen's going to come back," she says, almost like she's not trying to convince herself.

It's entirely possible Cullen won't come back. That it'll finally be too much for his overstressed body. Nobody's ever managed to survive lyrium withdrawls, why would Cullen be any different? It's a gnawing thought, one that's been worrying her ever since she found out he was quitting.

Selfishly, she doesn't want him to die because she loves him, not because he's commander of her army or her advisor or anything.

"He has to come back. He won't let this beat him, Cole." This time, her voice shakes a little.

Her other hand not on Cole curls into a fist in her lap.