SIGRID

I start to feel anxious because he’s completely shutting me out.

But our magic is one—it’s like the mate bond in werewolves or the blood connection in vampires.

We are mates, and right now, the only thing I feel coming from him is insecurity and… fear?

“Silas?” I try to lift my head, but he clings to my body even tighter. We are both sitting on the bed.

“Love, what’s wrong?” I ask, worried.

I feel his tension, his resistance. He’s suddenly terrified, his heartbeat erratic. It’s making me nervous.

Just as I’m about to open my mouth again, placing my hand on his chest to push him away, he finally speaks in a guttural voice:

“I can’t,” he whispers, his voice trembling.

The turbulent storm of his magic is on the verge of spiraling out of control.

“What?” I whisper, stunned.

“I can’t, Sigrid… I… I didn’t tell you because I was afraid you’d leave me… Don’t walk away from me, please, don’t leave my life. I can’t bear it without you. I’m so selfish I kept quiet just to keep you by my s