[ELARA]
“And what if I do?" Magnus challenges, his voice dropping to a whisper, but the intensity of his words slices through the air.
His eyes widen as he realizes what he has just said, words he can’t take back.
I fold my hands around my arms, holding my breath as I tear my gaze away from him. I feel vulnerable, almost naked, standing here in front of him. The distance between us feels unbearable, a chasm I cannot cross.
“I suppose you can care,” I answer meekly. My voice comes out all strange, and I feel foolish. I turn away and walk to the open window that looks over the Cursed Gulf. The waves crash violently against the shore, and for a moment, I wish they could swallow me whole. “What harm will that do?”
“It can kill you,” he answers without missing a beat. His gaze burns into
