---- Before she could correct him, Damien turned, wrapping his arms around her torso with a strength that belied his weakened state.

His face buried itself against her blossoms, his trembling breaths fanning against her skin.

And she froze.

Don't leave me, he begged, his voice cracking.

I can't live without you...

please...

Her arms hovered midair, caught between shock and hesitation.

But as his words sank into her, the pain lacing his tone clawed at her heart.

Slowly, she let out a shaky sigh and dropped her arms, encircling him in a firm, comforting embrace.

Tm not going anywhere, she whispered, her voice thick with emotion One hand rested on the back of his head, her fingers threading through his hair, grounding him.

Tl be right here when you wake up.

I swear.

Now sleep, Damien.

---- Chapter 470 The gentle rhythm of her voice worked like magic His grip on her loosened just enough, his breathing evening out, the frantic rise and fall of his chest finally calming.

Nestled against her, Damien sank into a deep, fevered slumber.

But Alex's heart remained restless.

She glanced down at him, his face softened in sleep, free for the moment from the torment that had consumed him.

His arms still held her like she was the only thing anchoring him to this world, and she didn't had it in her to push him away.

No matter what her own heart ache for him, for the pain he carried, for the love he still clung to, and for the part of him that refused to see her standing right there, fighting for him with everything she had.

Her voice dropped to a whisper, words meant only for herself.

I'll keep fighting, Damien.

I'll continue to stand behind you...

even if you never turn to even look back at me.

And as she held him through the night, she vowed ---- silently that she wouldn't let the fever, the infection, or even his ghosts take him away.

He was hers.

And only hers for the night ---- Chapter 471 Damien stirred, his eyelids weighted as though sealed by an unseen force.

He groaned, trying to lift them, but the effort felt Herculean.

A low curse escaped his parched lips as he raised a trembling hand to rub at his eyes.

That's when he felt it,something soft but firm in his grasp.

Frowning, his gaze drifted downward, and there it was, Alex's hand, her slender fingers encased in his, with a damp cloth wedged between their palms.

[lis eyes followed the line of her arm upward until they landed on her.

She was slumped against the rough bark of a tree, her neck bent at a painfully awkward angle, exhaustion etched into every line of her face.noveldrama

He blinked, forcing his sluggish mind to piece it together.

Glancing at his body, he saw himself swaddled in makeshift cloths, each one dampened to combat the raging fever that had overtaken him.