“You asked what I’ve been hiding. Fine. I’ll show you.”
Ryvarn’s voice was low, almost a growl, but it wasn’t anger. It was restraint. And something worse—pain.
He stood near the window again, the night sky casting silver shadows across his skin. His chest rose and fell too fast, and his hands trembled slightly at his sides. Sweat rolled down the line of his spine, catching the flicker of torchlight.
“Something’s wrong,” I said, stepping closer. “You don’t look like yourself.”
“I’m not.” He turned toward me, eyes glowing brighter than usual. They looked molten now, flickers of gold swimming in fire.
His skin shimmered faintly, as if heat was pulsing under the surface. His bare chest, already slick, glowed at the collarbone like someone had lit a candle under his skin.
I stopped halfw
