Page 156 of Daughter of the Serpent

“He loves you.”

She startled.

Something flickered across Axel’s face - something raw, something she wasn’t sure she was meant to see. His lip curled, as if the very admission soured in his mouth, but still, he said it.

“And when the time comes, he will fight for you. I am sure of it.”

Sylvie’s breath stilled. The weight of his words pressed againsther, unraveling something deep in her chest. She had never expected this. Never expectedhim -who had never once hidden his hatred for Haldor - to say such a thing.

“Why are you suddenly defending him?” she asked.

His nostrils flared.

“I do not defend - I only speak the truth.” He shook his head. “Gods know I’d carve out his heart without a second thought,” he spat. “He compromised your future, your life, your choices.”

He began to pace, his movements predatory.

“He put his own fear above you - and I cannot forgive that.”

His hand tensed at his sides.

“But,” he continued, and this time, his voice dipped softer, more controlled. His eyes found hers, steady and certain.

“I don’t see him as a threat - only a fool, who doesn't deserve you.”

The words settled between them like a stone dropped into deep water - rippling, spreading, shifting everything in their wake.

“But whatever your choice, I will respect it.”

Sylvie’s breath wavered. The ache inside her deepened, pressing into her ribs.

How could he do this?

How could Axel - who met every problem with blade and fire, who had never once hidden his thirst for vengeance, never once flinched to protect her - bend like this?

And then she realized.

He was bending for her.

Because he cared.

The thought sent a tremor through her. It echoed inside her mind like a whisper she wasn’t ready to believe, in case it shattered the moment it left her lips.

But thehopeof it made her knees weak.

“You would do that?” Her voice was barely above a whisper.

His hand rubbed the back of his neck, as if it pained him to say it. “Only if it is your will.” he admitted after a long pause. “But do not mistake my respect for mercy. If he so much as tries anything else,puts you in danger, oversteps his bounds - Iwilltake his head, even if you hate me for it.”

And she had no doubt.

“But if you choose to forgive him, if you decide after today to keep him in your life, I will try - but only if it’s what you want.”

The words unraveled her. Not because they were soft, but because they weren’t. They were rough - edged, reluctant - because they cost him something. And still, he gave them to her.

Was this what caring for someone looked like?

No empty promises. No chains disguised as protection.