Aeron nodded slightly. He said in a low voice, "I know, but you're different! As long as it's you, I want to give you everything. Even if you wanted my life, I would give it to you. Nerida, this is just how obsessive I am. Did I scare you?"
Nerida fell silent.
She looked at this obsessive man before her, whose heart was entirely hers. A storm of emotions churned within her. 'How could you be so foolish?' "What is it you even like about me?"
The face before her was deathly pale, completely drained of color. His skin had aged considerably, as if he had gone from a youth to a middle-aged man in an instant. And his once ink-black hair was now shot through with white strands.
Aeron's gaze burned into her.
"There's no reason. I just like you, Nerida." He took her hand as he spoke. "Nerida, you're not leaving now?"
Nerida nodded.
"Yes, I'm not leaving."
He looked at her.
"Is it because of me?"
She nodded gently. "Yes."
