Zariah winced visibly, her heart constricted within her chest and it was a struggle to contain the tears, a struggle Zariah did not win.
"Mhijani, don't cry... I am fine now." Askel coaxed gently, pulling Zariah closer to himself.
"You should not have had to go through any of that...you did not deserve any of the pain you have had to suffer. Tortured by such darkness from such a tender age..." Zariah murmured, her tone pained.
Her finger trailed the black markings on Askel's bare chest that attested to the existence of the beast and she breathed a heavy sigh.
"Even at this moment, you do not deserve this... I will not let you go through any more pain, not if I have a say in it." Zariah continued.
Askel stroked Zariah's hair in a bid to offer his comfort.
"I do not want you to do anything that would endanger you or your people. I do not want you involved in this at all." Askel reasoned.
