My silence was a reproach. Wenzhi knew how hurt I had been when Liwei betrothed himself to another—a different kind of pain from his own calculated betrayal.

“That was thoughtless of me.” He inclined his head as he rested an arm upon his knee. “I used to believe we would spend the rest of our lives together—when you were mine as I am yours. These days, I barely have a moment alone with you.”

“The way we are now … it is far more than I ever thought we would be again,” I told him.

“Yes. To hear you say my name without hate or wariness, is a desire that has haunted me for the past year. Some days I thought you would despise me forever—as I deserved.” A drawn breath slid from him. “I should be grateful, but I can’t help wanting more.”

“Never.” The barest crack in my voice. “You destroyed what we had. By right, I should hate you forever.”

“Hate me then, for I would rather have your hatred than indifference.” His eyes were the shade of wintry rivers, glints of light traveling in their depths. “The past can’t be undone, but my hope lies in our future. Trust me with your heart again and you will find the truth of mine. For you are the reason I rise each day, for you I live and breathe.”

His declaration, spoken with such unflinching passion, struck all thought from my mind—an unexpected warmth flaring through me. I swallowed hard, fighting to conceal how shaken I was, hiding behind a mask of indifference. “Words are easily spoken.”

His gaze pinned mine. “Then let me express them through deeds.”

My pulse was racing, my breaths shallow. I did not know what emotions churned within me, nor did I want to examine them too carefully. He leaned forward, drawing closer—slowly—like I might startle. I should have moved, yet I did not. His breath grazed my lips, his scent filling my senses with pine, with the night breeze, with too many things I wanted to forget. Could he hear the thud of my heart? The evidence of desire I tried so hard to suppress?

My eyelids lowered, a tantalizing warmth coursing through my blood. But then he stopped, raising his hand to cradle my cheek.

“Do you want this?” His low voice curled at the edge of my hearing.