"If I grant God anything, it will be that thou wert made a willful creature, and sought me out when I told thee to stay back."

Lady Percy's eyes are saucers. Harry rests one hand on her wrist, as she takes his cheek with her other hand.

"Thou'rt bit?" she whispers. "She bit thee?"

"I should have died," he says softly, firmly. "I took a dagger in my side to the hilt. A wolf's grace is its capacity to heal, for the change to work. But for Kate, I'd be food for worms."

"Ah God, Harry!"

Harry looks at Kate, almost startled, as Lady Percy buries her face in his shoulder. He puts his arms around her as she weeps.