The stillness that followed her confession was heavy, thick enough to choke on.

For several long minutes, neither of them moved or uttered a word.

Kael just stood there, staring at her, his chest barely moving. He couldn't understand. He didn't want to understand as the scent she had been hiding, the real, raw scent of her true nature, filled the room, clashing with the lie she had lived for so long.

Then, a short, sharp laugh broke the stillness. The sound of someone who had just heard a joke that wasn't funny. He shook his head slightly, a small, disbelief-filled smile twitching on his lips.

"Do you know what?"...