That coaxed a small smile, even if it was strained, from her. "Because you take on too much." She nudged him with her arm. "I was angry with you, yes. But I never stopped loving you, Kell. I... It was just too much. All of it was too much."

And it continued to be too much. She needed to endure, though.

Slowly, she released him, and sank down to sit. Neria tipped her head up and gestured for him to join her if he wished - and she hoped he would.