Cassius blinked, the pain momentarily blurring his vision. But when his gaze focused again, he saw Arabella's expression, soft yet trembling, eyes filled with fear, worry, and something even worse which gnawed his consciousness. Something that clawed at his heart far more effectively than any weapon Morpheus could conjure.
Facing that kind of sadness… that kind of devotion… he couldn't lie to her. He couldn't pretend he didn't need what she was offering.
So he nodded, reluctantly, but enough for her to understand.
Arabella let out a shaky exhale, relief warming her features for the briefest moment. Her lips curved into a faint, trembling smile as her hands, still unsteady from adrenaline, fear, and raw concern, lifted toward him. She guided her wrist to his lips, her fingers hovering beside his cheek, the closeness trembling with something intimate and vulnerable.
