Xylon smirked, the corner of his lips twitching with a sharp, almost cruel amusement.
"I have to hand it to you…keeping up this act all day in this heat… impressive. Truly heroic. Really makes me wonder how you've survived this long."
Eva's fingers clenched at her sides, her cheeks warming under his piercing gaze.
He leaned closer, voice lowering, the sarcasm sharpening into something darkly teasing.
"Honestly, Eva… I almost expected you to collapse in the sand by now, dramatically, with a gasp and all. Yet here you are, still pretending you're fine….ridiculous."
Eva swallowed hard, her throat tight, struggling to find a reply that wouldn't betray her exhaustion.
Xylon's expression hardened, the teasing smirk vanishing.
With a swift motion, he guided her onto the sand, positioning himself close, kneeling beside her.
His eyes locked onto hers, cold and unwavering, voice steady and firm.
