Chapter 572: Look Forward

RETH

Reth wasn't sure at what point he'd moved, but they lay there, still joined, and he leaned his temple on his fist, staring into her eyes.

She stroked his face, following the lines of his cheeks and jaw, plumping his lip, stroking the line down his neck.

Then her eyes met his and locked and neither of them breathed for a moment.

"Elia," he rasped, then cleared his throat, but didn't drop her gaze. "I don't know what… I can't imagine a life… any life, without you. It feels as if this world will stop existing if you're not in it, and I don't know what to do with that."

Her face crumpled and she sobbed once, but she swallowed it and never dropped his gaze. "That's exactly how I feel about you." Then she started to tremble. "I'm trying, Reth. I'm really trying. But I'm just more and more scared. Not of the voices, not of the traverse, but… of losing you. I can't… I don't think I can do it!"