““I want to be a good king, Nora." Max didn't think he'd ever told her that before. For Nora, it was about eliminating her father and becoming queen. Without Max, she'd never live to see her father's reign end. The dark magic coursing through his veins had already prolonged his life. Once he channeled all of the Darkness entering Illaria, he'd be unstoppable, immortal. "My father probably started out the same way." Nora stroked Max's shoulder the way a mother would soothe an upset child. Max caught her arm in his hand, squeezing harder than he should have. Nora gasped. "I'm nothing like your father," Max said. Nora leaned in toward Max, her mouth inches from his. "Of course you are. Look how easily you gave up the love of your life for me. You think I don't know how you feel about me? You think this is easy for me? Being in love with somebody who loves another?””
