Layla's POV
I blinked at him for a second as I processed his question and tried to make sense of how I truly felt, but I knew the answer…and I couldn't tell him that.
"Yes." I spat instantly, knowing that it was a lie.
He raised his eyes to hold mine and for a moment, i could see the danger in his eyes.
"Say it without shaking and I might actually believe you."
I tried. I forced my shoulders to stay still, took a deep breath and tried to force my voice to stay steady, but the heat under my skin pushed all of my efforts aside as if they were nothing. Then Freja pressed against my mind so hard that I had to grip my thigh to ground myself.
"It was a mistake," I said, and swore internally when my voice still slipped at the end.
His eyes flickered briefly as something pas
