DRAVEN'S POV.
They want me to take a wife," I said bluntly.
Her breath hitched, just a little.
"A wife," she whispered.
"Yes."
She looked down at her hands, twisting the fabric of her nightgown.
"And what did you say?" She asked.
"I asked them if they were insane." I replied.
She snorted—actually snorted, covering her mouth too late. Heat curled in my chest.
"Draven…" she said softly. "Why does it bother you so much? The idea of having a wife?"
"Because I can't touch," I said. "I can't bond. The curse—"
"I know," she whispered.
I leaned forward, elbows on my knees.
"They want someone beside me who won't survive me," I said quietly. "It's cruel."
Selin's eyes lifted to mine, gentle, warm and conflicted.
"It sounds lonely," she whispered.
"It is." I said.
Silence seeped through the room. Then she said something that made my breath falter.
"They're wrong, you know."
I blinked. "About what?"
"You aren't meant to be alone." She said.
