Chapter 217

Dimitri knew it in his soul. His mind was not to be trusted. Her presence kept him tranquil, calm, but his mind was a maze of dark, deadly trails. He had no idea if he would be able to distinguish reality from nightmare if their delicately balanced world tilted in any way. His black eyes went a glittering obsidian, and he looked away from her, ashamed. He should allow her to leave, give her her freedom, but he could not. Blanca was his only sanity, his only path to the surface from the hellish nightmare he lived in. I have sworn to protect you, Blanca. I can only promise it is in my heart to do so.

Blanca stepped away from the bed, suddenly close to tears. He was in a treacherous labyrinth; he walked a fine line between sanity and a world she did not want to try to comprehend.

"I will protect you, Dimitri. You have my solemn word, I won't let you down. I'll see you through this until you're right again." And then?