CH.178

There was no missing the slight tremor that laced Serena’s soft voice despite the brave front she attempted to project. Even now, some deeply buried part of her human psyche still recoiled at the thought of having her life's essence drained away by her inhuman husband.

It wasn't that she feared Knox would hurt her - she trusted him implicitly with her life and her heart. But the very idea of being fed on, of having her blood drawn out of her body, triggered some instinct of self-preservation that she couldn't quite shake.

Knox felt a rush of fierce tenderness and protective devotion for his brave, resilient other half. Even when faced with the prospect of something as daunting as offering her blood, she did not falter or allow her concern for his wellbeing to waver.

Her selflessness never failed to humble him.

"It's too risky to do that right now," he responded in a low, calming voice meant to soothe her subtle fears.

His large hand engulfed hers where it still gripped his wrist, sq