MY CRUEL PROTECTOR
"The Null-Field... I couldn't let it close."
He didn't listen. He buried his face in my hair, his breath coming in ragged, jagged sobs. He was trembling—the legendary Shield, the man who felt no pain, was breaking apart in my arms. Through the bridge, his thoughts were a chaotic roar of Safe. Safe. Safe. Mine.
"You used the Sovereign," he hissed against my ear. "I felt the spike. I felt the child scream. You risked everything."
"I risked it for you," I said, pulling him closer.