Undeterred, she moved closer, her footsteps light against the floor. When she was mere inches from him, she leaned forward, her face so close to his that she could see the faint creases of a frown forming on his brow.
Still, he didn't open his eyes.
Nyxoria didn't back away, studying him intently. She wasn't sure what she was looking for—maybe a flicker of recognition, maybe some buried memory—but she stayed close, as if being near him might somehow bring back her memories.
Suddenly, Tharros's hand shot out, wrapping tightly around Nyxoria's neck. His fingers dug into her skin, sharp enough to draw blood. The sting was immediate, but she didn't pull away.
When his eyes snapped open, they were darker than anything she'd ever seen, swirling with shadows that would send even the bravest running. But not Nyxoria.
Instead of flinching or showing fear, she smiled. Even as his grip tightened, the pain radiating from her neck, her grin only widened.