Within the temple, the gazes of the seven Sin Gods weighed on his shoulders like tangible things. The God of Desire's dangerously tempting words still echoed through the air.
The difficulty of the trials set by seven First-Level Gods, the horrifying price of failure, and the threat that might also engulf the Snow Empress.
Had it concerned him alone, he would have agreed without hesitation. But it involved the Snow Empress, the only person who ranked above self-interest in his heart. Rather than answer the gods immediately, he slowly turned to face her fully. Beside him, her face was slightly pale, her eyes filled with worry.
He released the hand he had been holding tightly, not to distance himself, but so he could gently cradle both her cold, faintly ethereal hands in his own.
His movements were gentle yet firm, and his molten-gold eyes no longer held their piercing edge.
"Snow Empress," he said in a low voice, "look at me."
The Snow Empress instinctively wanted to evade his burning, direct gaze. It seemed capable of melting the defenses that had kept her heart frozen for hundreds of thousands of years. Yet she did not look away. She merely bit her lower lip lightly and met his eyes.
"From the day we became two souls in one body, we were destined to be hopelessly entwined," Dai Youheng said slowly, his thumbs unconsciously stroking the cold backs of her hands. "At first, perhaps there was exploitation, calculation, and a pursuit of power. I admit that I, Dai Youheng, am no pure-hearted man. Putting my own interests first has always been my unchanging creed."
He paused, his gaze deepening. "But you alone are different. You silently protected me every time I took a risk. You resonated with me in perfect harmony as