The Exarch takes a sudden, deep breath when Felih releases him, eyes growing wide again when he drops to the floor, tears in his eyes and immediately blaming himself as the Exarch should have expected. He stays stock still for a long moment, before going to his knees but not reaching out to touch Felih.

"You never have," he says, as firm as he can manage. "The failings are mine. Always, only mine."