"In a devil's case, his personal royal crest would physically manifest on his mate's flesh."
And just like that, the fragile glimmer of hope shining in Aliana's eyes came crashing down.
Cillian noticed the shift immediately, but he had only been telling her the truth.
It was better she learned the full scope of reality now, before it was too late.
Or perhaps, seeing the raw heartbreak flash across her face, he wondered if it was already far too late.
But that was the cruel nature of life.
Fate had a bitter habit of playing twisted games, watching people struggle to untangle themselves from its web, only to realise they were already trapped too deeply to pull away.
Even so… there was still one factor Cillian could not completely discount.
He kept his eyes fixed on Aliana, who had lowered her head, struggling under the crushing weight of the revelation.
He hesitated.
Should he say it?
