His arms stayed locked tight around me, strong and unyielding, like he was afraid if he let go even an inch, I'd slip away forever. My face was pressed hard against his chest, listening to the thunder of his heart beating just as fast and wild as mine.
I struggled weakly at first, my hands pushing against his shoulders, but the more I fought, the tighter he held me — until my strength gave out, and all that was left were the sobs shaking my whole body.
"You may hate me. Curse me. Strike me if you wish. But don't leave me."
The words rumbled deep in his chest, raw and desperate, stripped of every bit of that Grand Duke pride he wore like armor in front of everyone else.
