“Idiot,” I whispered. “I am not afraid of physical pain or death. I didn’t even fully understand what a mate bond was at that time, but I would have died a thousand times if needed, just to have had your love. To have been loved by the shadow. You would have had my undying love… And for a Phoenix, undying is a very literal concept. Instead, you did everything in your power to push me away and break my heart, and you nearly succeeded in both.” I tried to sound strong, but I knew he heard my voice crack at the end.
Mace
