I didn’t finish the sentence. I couldn’t.
Marcus stepped closer. He stopped just short of the threshold, careful to keep his distance as always. Still, his intense golden eyes burned into mine. "Then come to Shadow Warriors' territory," he said with restrained urgency.
I shook my head. "Marcus, it’s not that simple. I can’t—"
"It is that simple," he cut me off sharply but with surprising gentleness. "The guest quarters are available. Your security matters more than keeping up appearances during your bond dissolution."
His words hung between us like a lifeline, but hesitation clung to me. "Would that even be proper?" I asked.
"It’s appropriate under the circumstances," Marcus replied, his voice softening slightly. "And more importantly, it would prevent situations like today from
