"I only do this because it pains my heart to see you bound, Commander. This situation is too cruel for a man who faithfully waited for his wife for three years."
He scrubbed his face again and paced near the cottages. What reason was there for him to reject Hebaron's suggestion? Maximilian was his wife, and he no longer wished to be separated from her. He wanted to hold her tight, to kiss her to his heart's content. He wanted to make love until they were both exhausted. He wanted to fall asleep with her under the sheets, lulled by her voice, and be greeted by her face in the morning.
"What do you want to hear from me? About how miserable I've been? How much I resented you and loathed myself? Is that what you wish to hear? You have no idea how much I—"
"My lady," Ursuline replied with a low sigh, "our training over the past ten days has completely shattered what hope I had. I absolutely cannot let you go without personal guards to protect you."
I think they will talk about it by the end of book 2, I feel like it’s too important to just drop it
The idea that she enjoyed his crude gifts could also be false hope on his part. She could acquire any real gem if she so desired. A few more years, and he doubted she would remember that she once used to collect something as insignificant as pebbles.
The black hunting dog that usually shadowed the girl sat nearby. Its ears pricked up as Riftan approached. Being careful not to get too close, Riftan cautiously placed the pebble on the ground, then stalked away as though he had other matters to attend to.
"W-We wanted to say goodbye…" Ulyseon said, panting. He handed Maxi a fistful of wildflowers. "We searched the whole mountain… but there were only small bulbs like these due to the cold. I know it's not much, but would you accept them, my lady?"