AT THE PALACE
Thalina crossed her arms tightly as she sat on the edge of Zorath's bed, refusing to meet his gaze. Her eyes were fixed on the floor, and her silence felt like a barrier between them that neither one of them could cross.
Zorath, standing by the window with his back to her, was the picture of indifference, but there was something in the tense set of his shoulders that betrayed his calm exterior.
"You promised, Thalina," he said, his voice low but unwavering. "If I stayed away from you, you would mate with me. It was your promise."
Thalina's jaw clenched at the reminder. She couldn't believe he was still bringing this up. She had hoped the topic would vanish, like a fleeting shadow. Instead, it felt like Zorath was making it his mission to keep it alive, like it was the only thing that mattered.