Chapter 87

He grabbed her chin between his fingers and forced her to meet his gaze. “Even if I had ordered the massacre of the entire Erylas, I would have kept you alive. Not for altruistic motives but to make you pay for what you did to us. For what I was tricked into believing you did.” He ran his thumb over her bottom lip. “If only I knew earlier what I know now...” he murmured. “I missed you, you know. All these years, I found myself constantly thinking about you. There were days when I wondered if you would write to me again. When I was on the battlefield, drenched in the blood of the enemy, I knew I didn’t want to die without seeing your smile again. Once, I was badly injured. I thought that was my end. We were out of healing potions, and I was bleeding so much.... The idea of not holding your hand again...” his voice cracked. “Of not hearing your laughter ... gave me the strength for living. I wanted to live for you.”

Her bottom lip trembled, and a few tears escaped her eyes. “I am sorry