Whatever Xandar just said was not just ‘terrifyingly overwhelming’. It was monstrously torturous, heartbreaking and soul-crushing. It was basically the strongest cocktail of all his fears combined into a single scene.

Lucianne’s hands reached out to stroke his cheek and shoulder, ensuring him that she was right there in front of him, that she was his and only his, that they weren’t apart and never will be so. He leaned into her hand and kissed her palm before she asked in a small, encouraging voice, “How did you fight it?”

He managed a smile when he explained, “For a while, I didn’t think I could. My instinct was to pounce...