Morag cried into Antonin's arms, tears of loss and regret and guilt. Tiberius had been more than a boss to her for years. He'd been a surrogate father figure, her only family since she'd tried to protect her own parents by sending them into hiding and couldn't contact them. And he'd been her friend, one of her closest because he knew more about her than most did.
She hadn't spent much time with Tibby lately. She knew that Tiberius had understood, she was a newlywed, but now he was gone and she'd never have that chance again and she felt the loss keenly. But she should have been seeing him and helping him more and spending time with him. She should have told him how much he meant to her only she hadn't.
And she should have protected him. He had no business fighting in battles in the first place, figurehead or not. He was too valuable. And if he had had to be on the field, he should have been protected. By her. Morag had let her enjoyment of the battle distract her, and Tibby had paid the price.
Morag cried until she ached, and even then the tears continued until her head ached as bad as her heart. Not that it made her feel any better. She felt sad and exhausted, and there was still a big hole in her heart from the loss of her friend.
She lay for a bit against Antonin, too tired and upset to even move. But she had to pull herself together. Someone needed to tell Cormac what had happned, and there was Percy, and there were arrangements to make.
She sat up. Antonin was right....it was time to be strong. Morag rubbed at her face.