Orion's eyes went wide. He exclaimed in shock, "Thorne's Beast Crystal? You actually got it from the bottom of Thorncliff...?"
Thorne gazed at her beautiful, smiling face, a pang of pain welling up in his heart. He pressed his lips together tightly. After a long moment, he finally reached out, but not for the Beast Crystal. Instead, his long, slender fingertips gently wiped the wild fruit juice from the corner of her lips.
His face was pale, his voice low and hoarse. "Were you scared?"
Evangeline sensed the gentleness in his touch, and her eyes brightened. She nuzzled her cheek against his calloused palm and shook her head. "I wasn't scared! I told you I'd get it back for you."
She tilted her head, still smiling brightly. "You'll be fully recovered soon!"
Thorne gazed at her, the pain in his heart surging into his throat until he could barely speak.
'It didn't even hurt this much when they dug out my Beast Crystal.'
