Ren let out a long, slow breath, his breath pluming in the crisp air.
"At this point in my life," Ren murmured, his voice a gravelly, devoted whisper, "I live and breathe for her."
Kaito let out a dark, agonizing groan, his hands coming up to grip his own hair in sheer frustration. The subordinate took a frantic step forward, his usually disciplined composure completely shattering.
"And what about your people?!" Kaito demanded, his voice rising in desperation. "What about the promise you made to the eastern plains? Sure, the Queen engineered the cure for the Wither-Rot. She saved the continent, and our tribe can finally breed better without the fear of our curse. But does she know that it was at the absolute cost of you?"
