FOURTEEN

KIARA

If by chance, there was something I could do to solve my mate's problem, I was willing to do it. As long as it was within my capacity.

"How can I set you free? Please tell me," I said to Denzel, our gazes locked.

"Marry me."

I blinked at him, dumbfounded.

It didn't sound like a logical answer. Why would marrying him be the key to freeing him?

"You're joking, right?" I asked, furrowing my brows.

"I'm not. Marrying me and completing our mate bond as the moon goddess' vessel will set me free," he said.

I stared at him for a moment, scanning his facial features for any sign of deception. However, I found none.

"Are you sure about this? I mean...it can't be that easy. It sounds tricky, Denzel," I said.

He dragged in a sharp breath and a frown creased my brows.

"Did I say something wrong?" I asked cautiously.

"No, you didn't. It's just... when you called my name, it startled me," he said, letting out an awkward chuckle.

"This isn't the first time I'm calling you by your name, i