POV: Emilia
"You cannot shield me by excluding Enzo." My voice shook and the words spilled out before I could stop them. Tension permeated the chilly, poorly lighted tunnel surrounding us, and the stifling quiet between us seemed more lethal than the dangers closing in.
Enzo turned swiftly and fixed me with black eyes. "I am not excluding you from this. I am working to keep you alive. Though his voice was rough, the underlying feeling behind it betrayed him. "Do you believe I should conceal secrets from you? I am obliged.
I moved in front of you, the distance between us fraught with unsaid feelings. "I need you not to protect me. I need your faith in me. If I am not even sure what I am fighting for, how can I fight beside you?
His voice lowering, he replied, "You're fighting for us." His eyes softened, just momentarily, and I sensed the weight of all he omitted. That must be sufficient.