Raegar's heart stuttered, confusion swirling in his chest. "What are you talking about? Let go of what?''
His voice was sharp, defensive, but beneath it, a cold fear began to rise. The dread of losing them, his girls, his family, the life he'd built from the ashes of his past one. He shook his head, jaw tight. ''There's nothing wrong with me!''
The stranger tilted his head, his eyes glinting. ''Why are you lying to me? I see it, just below the surface. The fear. The doubt. Why are you acting so scared?''
''I'm not scared!'' he cracked, rage boiling over, searing through his veins.
The stranger's words struck a nerve, an aching wound he'd buried deep. His fists clenched, trembling, memories flooded his mind from his previous life, his parents' cold rejection, the nights spent wondering why he was never enough, the terror of failing those he loved most don't want him.
