Malric's Pov

Her voice tore through the chamber, sharp as a blade.

"Untie me, Malric! Now!"

The sound of her desperation clawed at me. Delilah's wrists strained against the binds, her chest heaving as she glared at me like I was the cruelest monster alive. Maybe I was.

"Do you think screaming at me changes anything?" My tone was low, measured, but the storm inside me raged. I couldn't let her see it. Not now.

"I don't care what you think," she snapped, fury in her eyes. "I don't care what you are. I'm leaving. I will not stay here-"

Her words sliced me open. Every syllable, a reminder that...