“Promise me you will be safe.” Hadrius’ whisper is harsh and holds a desperate, vulnerable edge to it, his eyes seeking his human’s as she kneels before him, still reeling in murky pained silence. “River-” Her eyes lift to meet his.
The chains groan as his face dips towards her; he wishes to touch her one last time, for a single, blessed moment, and she hears his thought. Wordlessly, River rises on her knees and presses her brow to his, her mouth a heartbeat later. His lips whisper unspoken agony to hers as they kiss briefly, softly.
The fear swells beneath his skin, threatening to tear him to shreds, and pain like no other grasps at the warlord’s heart as she draws away. “He will be violent,” Hadrius utters against the soft curve of her mouth. “If you can, say my name before he reaches
