Cassius finally managed to steady himself, his breathing returning to something resembling normal.
He looked down at Maria, who was still watching him with that adorable mixture of concern and confusion, and felt something in his chest tighten.
This woman.
This sister of the Goddess, this woman who had dedicated her life to serving others—she had him completely wrapped around her finger!
He was like a dog chasing after her, desperate for any scrap of attention she might throw his way, and there was absolutely nothing he could do about it.
...Not that he wanted to do anything about it.
After all, this woman was exactly his type.
He loved strong women.
Not strong in the sense of being able to take on an army or having muscles bulging all over—though that was certainly attractive in its own way.
No, he loved women who were strong in spirit. Women who had faced unimaginable hardship and emerged not broken, but stronger.
And Maria? Maria had faced hell itself.
