His eyes softened into something even more tender and warm.
"You're my husband. You're the father of my child. You're my mate, and I love you. None of that means I'll pretend you never hurt me, but it also doesn't mean I'll abandon you because of what something else did while wearing your body."
She leaned closer until their foreheads touched.
"So don't spend the rest of your life trying to repay me for saving you. I didn't save you because I expected something in return. I did it because I couldn't stand the thought of losing you."
A tear slipped down her cheek, and she quickly wiped it away.
"But if you really want to prove something to me, then stay. Stay with me when things get ugly. Trust me enough to show me your fears and your weaknesses, you're allowed to be weak in this relationship. Let me fight beside you, instead of deciding on your own that dying is the best way to protect me."
Her voice softened. "And never, ever make me fight that hard to get you back again."
