Victor's POV
I couldn't stop staring at Selene, at those eyes that held nothing but raw hope and terrible fear. My chest felt crushed, like someone had wrapped iron chains around my ribs and squeezed until breathing became painful.
Kael snarled inside me, angry and desperate. "Say yes. Say it now before we lose her forever."
But the word… it got stuck in my throat like shattered glass.
I loved her. Goddess above, I loved her more than my own cursed life. I would rip apart anyone who dared touch her. I would burn the world to ash if it meant keeping her safe. But this? This one thing she was begging me for?
I couldn't give it to her.
"Selene," I started, my voice coming out rough and broken.
"Answer me," she whispered, her palm still resting on my chest, right over my thundering hea
