Covering her mouth with one hand to hold in her sob of guilt, she pointed toward the dead body at the door and choked out, "I killed her... I killed Madeline." She told him shakily as she searched his amber eyes to find the look of resentment or disdain in them at the fact that she had killed the only woman who would help him become the Emperor. She had not only ruined his chances of achieving his greatest goals, she had changed the future by killing Madeline.
Instead of the look of resentment Ave expected to find in his eyes, it was anger she saw. At first, she thought it was directed at her for the crime she had committed. She was surprised when he reached up his hand and tenderly cupped her cheeks. He used his thumb to caress her cheek as he looked down at her with warmth in his eyes.
