Fenris's face drained of color. His fingers trembled slightly, his eyes wide with shock and something close to panic. Beside him, Selene let out a soft, mocking laugh. She leaned in close, her voice a whisper meant only for him. "See that, Fenris? She just trampled all over your feelings."
Fenris said nothing for a long moment. His throat worked as he swallowed. When he finally spoke, his voice carried the brittle certainty of someone trying to convince himself. "She won't go through with it. Once she calms down, she'll retrieve the crystal and the ring."
"We've been bonded in promise for years. What we have runs too deep. She won't actually reject me over something this small."
The words had barely left his mouth when Lyra returned, release papers in hand. She'd heard every word.
A cold, mocking smile curved her lips. She didn't stop walking.
Fenris, you really do think too highly of yourself. No one waits in the same place forever. No one compromises endlessly for a bond that's already rotted through. A rejection is never about one small thing—it's about countless small wounds piling up until they finally crush the last bit of hope.