She stroked his cheeks with her thumbs. "Why should you let me go when I want to stay with you? I couldn't be happy without you."
He stared over her shoulder, still caressing her. "I have the madness."
"Are you sure? I know you said you carry the gene, but you seem pretty sane to me." She sometimes wished he would be less controlled. She also understood his fear of losing control.
"The doctor says it is dormant in me," he said, still staring at the valley behind her. As if he was too ashamed to look at her.
"Is there a danger that you can become like your father?"
"A very small chance. But any children I have will have the madness. It is ironic - my offspring will be born true warriors, strong and unable to scar like my father wanted. But I do not dare let them be born."
Not knowing how to comfort him, she kissed him. He clasped her to him, his kiss desperate and his hands roaming her body.