Precious Gem, True Mate Effect, and a Living Corpse

"It's alright, Erina. It's ok to feel afraid. Your feelings are all valid. I won't ask you to put blind trust in the mate bond since I know how the first one turned out. Instead, I ask you to give me time. Give yourself time. I will prove it to you. I am not good with words, so I will show it to you with my actions. We will get over your fears together. I promise to protect you, love you, cherish you, adore you, and seek you for eternity. For as long as my heart beats, it only beats for you."

".... "

Tears streamed down my face, and I most probably looked quite unflattering right now but I didn't care. I lifted my head to look up at him in his concern filled steely eyes.

Cold eyes that became soft only for me. Just me.

He tenderly wiped away my tears with his thumb, and I pulled in my lower lip to keep any inhumane noises from spilling out.