I listened to her words, feeling the sincerity in them. It was clear that Tryst had thought deeply about her decision, and her reasons went beyond mere attraction or surface-level considerations.
"I appreciate your honesty, Tryst. There's a lot we need to face in the coming days, and having your support means a great deal to me," I said, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze.
She smiled warmly, and we sat in silence for a moment, taking in the gravity of the situation. The path ahead was uncertain, but having Tryst by my side felt like a comforting anchor.
"Now, there's one more thing I need to discuss," I continued, shifting the conversation to a different topic. "Our bonding will come with time, but just exactly how much time do we have? What is the current state of the Emerald Chain Islands?"
