Azura's POV
Rhydor went entirely still. His hands dropped back to his sides, and his breathing hitched in his throat.
He knew exactly which night I was talking about. He didn't need me to spill out the details.
It was the night the entire axis of our world had violently shifted.
The night we went all the way, almost crossing a physical line that we could never, ever uncross.
It was the exact moment he had stopped treating me like a prisoner and started treating me like something precious.
"I cannot properly explain it," he whispered, his amber eyes locked onto mine with a burning intensity.
"I just know deep down in my soul that I am entirely ready to face any punishment you choose to inflict on me."
"I will wait a hundred miserable years for you if I have to. But please... do not reject me."
"I still want to be your mate, Azura. More than anything."
I stood flat against the heavy wooden door, looking into his desperate face for a long, agonizing moment.
