Page 47 of Sweet Dominion

Fucking impossible.

As the helicopter descended, I reached for Lei's hand. His fingers were cold. I held them gently, pouring all my love and strength into that simple touch.

I’m sorry, baby.

I longed to be his anchor.

To steady him.

To wash away all of his pain.

What else can I do?

Our hands remained intertwined, his fingers still and mine pulsing with life.

I’ve got your back, baby.

The helicopter’s hum shifted to a distant murmur as I focused on him and squeezed his hand. “I'm here.”

He slipped his gaze to me.

I swallowed. “I’m with you.”

His eyes—those deep pools of sorrow—softened just a fraction at my words. It was only a sliver of change, but it was enough.

Enough to tell me he’d heard me.

That he wasn't completely lost in his grief.

His voice was barely audible. “I know you’re with me, but. . .”

I quirked my brows. “But what?”

Lei hesitated for a few seconds. “I feel. . .guilty.”

“What do you feel guilty about?”

“Every time I lean on you. . .I feel like I’m placing the weight of my world on your shoulders.”

“You’re not.”

“Ever since we met, you've been my rock. It’s not fair to you.”

I tightened my grip on his hand. “You’ve been my rock too.”

“Yeah, but I’ve also been fucking up when it comes to you. I could have done more and now this. . .after you put in all that effort to be accepted by my people.”

“Lei, love isn't about fairness or keeping score. It's about sharing the burden, about being there for each other, especially when times are tough.”

He furrowed his brows. “But it feels like I'm taking too much from you.”

“You’re not.”

“I should be stronger; I should be able to handle this on my own. Instead, I keep turning to you, expecting you to hold me together.” He let out a long breath. “Here I am. . .needing you. . .so fucking bad. Needing to be alone with you. Needing to have your body next to mine. Needing your lips, the taste of your skin. . .to get my mind off of. . .”

“That's what love is. . .true love is being there for each other, no matter what. It’s about supporting each other through the darkest times and lifting each other up. You don’t have to carry everything alone, Lei. We’re in this together.”

“But what if I break you with my shit?” His voice cracked at the end.

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