“All I have known of you is softhearted, generous, and strong. But to ask for this quest and name your death as a reward means you are also cruel and selfish and weak.” Her expression shattered. “Aerax—” “And cowardly, too,” he said, and she sucked in a sharp breath, fist flying to her stomach and pressing there, as if to stanch a wound. “You would take the easy path. But I will not let you.”
