Delphine was startled by the deep, inky darkness in Ignatius Leclair's eyes. He was always enigmatic, an unreadable man. Even when displeased, he rarely revealed such a fierce gaze.
She was already on edge, having spent the entire night in fear and without a sip of water. Her pale lips were dry and slightly cracked. Now, with the man biting down on them, she gasped in pain, only for him to escalate his punishment further.
Ignatius kissed her until she was on the verge of fainting before finally letting go. His phoenix eyes lingered on her now-flushed lips, dark and deep, tinged with a trace of regret. He had kissed her too fiercely—the corner of her lips was already torn.
He pulled her into his embrace and said, his voice low and magnetic, "Sleep for a bit. We'll be home soon."
