DAMON'S POVThe doctor’s voice was devoid of emotion, yet there was weight behind every word he spoke. His explanation came slowly, as though each syllable was a burden he hesitated to deliver. “They’re called taints,” he said, his gaze fixed but weary. “Marks of betrayal. Every time you share yourself with someone else, it stains the bond. And Velara—she’s your bond. That means every one of your encounters doesn’t just hurt her; it brands her. Deeply. Irreparably.”His words settled like lead in the air, and the room suddenly felt smaller, suffocating. I could feel a cold, heavy dread curling in my chest, winding tightly like a serpent. He continued, voice steady, “It’s agonizing, or at least it is in the beginning. But it’s been four years. By now, I suspect she’s developed a tolerance—learned to live with the pain. It’s probably dulled into something like a bruise. But unlike bruises, this doesn’t fade. It scars her. Not just her body, but the bond between you.”
Last Updated : 2025-07-08 Read more