They are both broken and beaten down, shuffling towards one another like drowning souls lost at sea with the only life preserver in tatters around them. It's natural to want to cling to one another in times like these. In this moment, though Kaj is no healer, he wants only to take away the pain she is so clearly riddled with. He'd give up everything he had if only to fix whatever ails her. But the distress on her face is something he hopefully can fix. She presses into him, hesitant and unsure, but in moments she is curling into his shoulder like solace is in his hold. Kaj isn't sure if that's true, but he will shelter her with his wings, give her a sanctuary beneath his feathers until she is strong enough to continue on. He wraps around her like a blanket of affection and understanding, moving every limb and inch of his body to cocoon around her, sparing nothing as he gives her whatever it is she desires. Kaj will give his body to make her feel safe, and he wishes only to keep her there, so that she can't disappear from him ever again.

She's shaking against him, a leaf in a strong wind, and he holds her tighter. Whatever it is that makes her cry and sob, he wants only to destroy it. Whimpering, she spits out word after word, rushing and stumbling over the syllables like time is running out. Kaj stares down at her from where he is wrapped around her form, and his eyes soften. Now he understands. She's so scared, terrified she will become a wraith once more. The Storm Bringer isn't sure how she was healed in the first place, but he doesn't question it now. Right now, she's safe against his chest, and that's enough for him. He croons to her softly, hushing her in soft exhales over and over again, for it seems to calm her down. For now, he will listen as she cries, and when she is tired he will comfort her. Maybe it is better that she gets it all out of her system first.

All action ceases when she reaches for him, clearly unwilling to leave just yet. And because she is his everything, he stills, returning to her side and enveloping her all over again. Whatever she wishes, he will do it. It doesn't make sense to him why, but he cares for her so deeply, she is his friend and he will do anything in that moment to make her smile one more time. It never failed to bring a smile to his own face, and he remembers clearly how he'd been so quickly won over by her because of that trait of hers. How could anyone possibly hate her?

"They will never hate you, Kahlua. And you have nothing, absolutely nothing, to be sorry for," he murmurs into her ears, wishing only to assure her. Take away all the fears inside her head. "None of the healed wraiths have reverted. Even if you did, I would never give up on you. I would never leave you. I would do everything in my power to cure you." Word by word a ferocity enters his tone, but it is not aimed at her in any negative fashion. Instead, it is a passionate promise, a sworn fealty to her that is strange in the roles they hold. She pulls away, and he frowns softly, but he walks alongside her nonetheless. If she trusts she can begin the journey, he will not have any qualms. He only wants to see her safe in the Sanctuary. And possibly keep her down there forever, never leaving his sight, so that nothing ever befalls her this way again.

His wing comes up as they walk, tentatively lowering over her spine if she allows it, walking as close as he can to her. Somehow Kaj senses there is still a storm inside Kahlua, and with how she'd sought shelter in his hold, he wants only to offer it once more. Again she whispers his name, and he lowers his crown to the petite fae, unable to summon the amusement he normally feels at their height difference. He lends her his ear, and she delivers. Mauja? He mulls the word over in his head, grasping at a few faint threads of knowledge.

"Mirage told the Protectors and WingLeaders that he was the ex-leader of the Edge, and a leader of the Basin. An enemy of the Throat and Edge. He killed Torasin, according to Mirage," he ends on a sober note, but is careful to hold no bias in his tone, for Kahlua sounds nervous and speaks as if she knows him. He only reports what he knows from Mirage's words and orders. He walks at the pace she sets, angling towards the Heart, wishing he could lend her his wings to grant her real safety on the path to the Sanctuary. "Why do you ask? Is he in need of help?" It is a hand of faith, extended towards a man who is not there. If Kahlua trusts the ex-leader, Kaj will at least give him a chance to prove himself.