Zara twisted her wrist, trying to break free, but the more she fought, the more his grip tightened. Her eyes flashed up at him in defiance.
"Let go of me," she demanded fiercely. "If you can't answer, you have no right to stop me."
"Zara, you are not a child," Nathaniel snapped, losing his composure. "I won't choose between you—I choose both of you." His hands shot up again to cup her face. "How can you even think otherwise? You are both important to me. I won't let either of you be hurt. That's a promise."
She pushed his hands away. "I don't need your promise," she muttered coldly, turning to leave.
But he wasn't backing down. He caught her again, pulling her closer, his fingers firm under her chin until she was forced to meet his gaze. "I mean it," he said with conviction. "If it ever came to choosing, I wouldn't leave you behind. Trust me."
