The words seemed to hit him, and he kissed me, deep and full of longing, as if that kiss could erase every scar left by the world. And then, as we stayed locked in each other’s arms, his voice came softly through the mind link, woven with his emotions.
"I don’t want you to be sad, baby," he said, the desperation in his thoughts as clear as his touch on my skin. "You are the only reason for my joy. If you’re sad, there’s no joy left in my life. How can I press on if you’re down, Elsa?"
The kiss broke, but his words continued in my mind, his presence as warm and steady as his heartbeat. "If I have you, I have a reason to keep going. You’re my strength, my purpose. No matter what we face, you give me the courage to keep fighting. And I’ll keep doing everything in my power to protect you, to
