Malric's Pov

She stood there frozen. Her lips parted slightly as if she wanted to argue, but no words came out. And I hated myself for it... for the fear that flickered in her eyes when I spoke those words.

You stay here. And we leave together.

It came out rougher than I intended, sharper like a whip. But I meant every damn syllable.

Because I couldn't risk it.

Not again. Not her.

I'd already lost too much, people, trust, pieces of myself. But Delilah... she was the one thing I wasn't ready to let go of, not now, not ever. Even if the world called it selfishness. Even if...