Ilkar moved back slightly, his golden eyes still locked onto hers with an intensity that made Eiravyne's heart race.
Eiravyne's breath came in shallow, uneven gasps as she struggled to find her voice.
Her gaze dropped to the bed, avoiding his penetrating stare as she tried to compose herself.
The weight of his previous words and the rawness of his confession left her feeling overwhelmed, her chest tightening with a mixture of anxiety and hope.
"Ilkar," she began, her voice trembling slightly, "p-protect me... Am I even allowed to say something like this?" She hesitated, her fingers clutching at the sheets as she sought the right words.
"You said before that I could want anything... for myself. So... can I want you to... p-protect me?"
The words tumbled out, each one imbued with a desperate sincerity.
Eiravyne's heart beat wildly in her chest, her emotions laid bare in the fragile space between them.
