Maximilian's fingers trembled in pain, his jaw was clenched so hard it looked painful. Still, he didn't move away.
"Have you lost your mind?" he demanded, voice low and dangerous, vibrating straight through her. "You think I'd stand here and watch you mutilate yourself?"
His face was inches from hers. His warm breath brushed her lips unevenly. His eyes were dark, burning, searching her as if she were the only thing anchoring him to this world.
"I won't stand here and watch you hurt yourself," he said fiercely, each word carved with restraint. "Not over me."
His words sounded like care… like a promise.
Catherine shoved at his chest, but he didn't budge. She could see it now… how pale he looked, the tension on his shoulders and muscles, and the pain radiating off him even as he held her there like a shield.
"Don't you want this too?" she shouted, voice cracking. "Don't you want to be free of the pain?"
For a split second, something raw flickered across his eyes.
