Chapter 14

XEROS STOOD WARILY WITH HIS ARMS CROSSED.

His face immediately creased in concentration after seeing the serious expression on my face.

"What's wrong, Isla?" He asked quietly.

I took in a shaky breath, shuddering as I let it out. My body began trembling lightly at the thought of opening up to him. It wasn't that I didn't trust him; of course, I did. But saying the truth out loud always made everything seem more real. It terrified me to the bone that I was even willing to let someone know this side of me.

"I-I don't even know where to start," I muttered with a light shake of my head. "Everything is just so complicated-"

"Isla," He interrupted softly. His warm eyes locked with mine. It was almost as if he was comforting me with his eyes. "I don't want you to feel pressured or anything. You don't have to tell me anything if you're uncomfortable doing so."

"No, no," I shook my head firmly. "I-I want to do this...Just give me a minute to think..."