Page 157 of Daughter of the Serpent

This was different. And she knew it in her bones. Because Axel had never taken anything from her. Never demanded, never forced, never sought to control. Even now, when every instinct inside him screamed against it, when he hated this choice, he still let her make it.

Her fingers brushed against his, tentative, testing. His gaze lifted, locking onto hers, and her breath caught. Heat simmered there, frustration curling in golden embers within his irises. Yet the moment their eyes met, the fire quieted, like the mere sight of her was enough to steady him - to ground him. Almost the way he did for her.

“I don’t know if I can forgive him,” she admitted, her voice raw, the truth catching in her throat. “He took my choice away from me. He refuses to see me for who I am…”

Her gaze flicked to Axel, lingering. Searching.

Not like you do.

The words curled on her tongue, aching to be spoken. But she swallowed them down.

Axel said nothing. He didn’t have to. The weight of his stare was enough. She felt it settle over her, thick with something unspoken, something neither of them dared name. And suddenly - she didn’t want to run from it anymore.

She exhaled, her pulse thrumming against her ribs.

“What happened last night, Axel?” The question slipped free before she could stop it, barely more than a whisper. “In the glen. Why did you leave?”

He stiffened.

She needed to know - had to know - what had driven him away. What had made him leave her after everything.

His jaw tightened, his hands curling into fists at his sides. Then, finally, he exhaled, looking away.

"This… thing between us." His voice was strained. "It cannot be."

The words landed slow and heavy. She tried - gods, she tried - not to let them wound her. But they did.

"I was a fool, Sylvie. I never should have let myself get that close." His voice dropped, rough, almost pained. "I never should have kissed you - "

She shook her head, something inside her snapping. Despite his words, despite the way they tore through her, she knew he felt it.

"Is that what I am to you now?" Her voice cut through the air, sharp as a blade. "A regret?"

Axel’s head jerked up.

"Never." The word ripped from him before he could stop it.

And she saw it then.

The war raging inside him. His body betrayed him - chest rising too fast, fingers twitching, eyes burning as they met hers.

Her throat tightened. "And today?"

His gaze flickered. "What about it?"

"Was that a mistake too?" Her voice steadied, but the edge remained. "When you fought like hell to get to me?"

Something shifted. A crack in his armor.

"You tore through everything in your path. You were reckless. Merciless. Did you even think about the consequences?"

His jaw flexed as he turned away, pacing, tension blanketing his shoulders.

"The temple. The elders. They believe themselves untouchable."

His voice dropped, simmering with something dark, something raw.

"Even they must face justice."