That slap... was enough to snap him out of the storm raging inside his mind.
The sharp sound still echoed faintly within the silent chamber as Aether sat frozen, his widened eyes trembling with disbelief. His breathing turned uneven the moment he realised what had just happened.
He had almost released killing intent towards... his wife?
Toward Sera.
A cold shiver crawled down his spine.
How?
Why?
No matter what happened in this world, he would never hurt his wives.
That truth had been carved into his soul long ago, deeper than instinct itself. Yet for a brief moment... something dark had surged inside him with terrifying force.
Something that did not feel like him.
Aether lowered his gaze toward the slim, warm body pressed against his chest. Sera remained there quietly, her fingers clutching his clothes softly as if afraid he might disappear if she loosened her grip.
Seeing her like that made guilt twist violently inside his chest.
