Liv fell silent. Her chest rose and fell slowly. "I trust you," she said at last honest, without hesitation.
Those words struck Jay harder than any threat ever could.
He lowered his head and rested his forehead briefly against the back of Liv's hand not a kiss, not a romantic gesture, but a silent oath, unspoken in words.
"You shouldn't have to," he murmured. "But I swear… your trust won't be in vain."
Liv finally closed her eyes. She looked exhausted, far more fragile than she wanted to admit. "I'm going to sleep for a bit," she whispered. "I get tired so easily now."
"Sleep," Jay replied without hesitation. "I'm not going anywhere."
And this time, he truly didn't.
Jay remained seated there, watching Liv until her breathing evened out. Outside the chamber, the guard was tightened. The gates were sealed. The borders were frozen. No one was allowed to enter or leave the lands of Zelthar.
Because to Liv, the word caught meant everything was fine.
