Morning came with silence.
Kaela avoided his eyes.
"What happened last night…" she started.
"…was a mistake?" Ryven finished.
She didn't answer.
Because it wasn't.
But she was afraid.
"People close to me die," she whispered. "I won't let that happen to you."
Ryven stepped closer.
"You don't get to decide that."
She looked up.
"And if loving me kills you?"
He smiled faintly.
"Then it'll be worth it."