The Prison-Made Queen novel Chapter 1038

"There are things that, if I don't say them now, I might never get the chance to."

"Mr. Langley, I saw exactly how you handled yourself in Northern Myanor. I saw what you did for her."

He studied Callahan for a long moment. Remembering the younger man's absolute ruthlessness and protective fury during the crisis, a faint glimmer of approval appeared in his eyes.

"Down there, you threw yourself in front of a blade for her without a second thought. You nearly died trying to get her out. I saw what kind of man you are when the world is burning. Honestly? Knowing she has a man willing to bleed for her puts my mind at ease."

He paused. The warm amber light in the room highlighted the deep lines of his face, revealing a storm of complex emotions.

"I believe you're a man of honor. I believe you're dependable." He sighed softly, a sound heavy with decades of hard-won cynicism. "But the world is vicious, and human nature is fickle. You'd rip your heart out for her today, but what about tomorrow? What about ten years from now? Nobody can predict the future."

His voice dropped, stripping away any trace of the warm, genial man he had been moments before. His eyes hardened into tempered steel, piercing straight through Callahan.

"So today, I'm throwing away my pride. On behalf of her late mentor, and on behalf of myself, I am demanding a vow from you."

He leaned forward. Despite his frail state, he projected an aura of absolute, terrifying authority. "Look me in the eye and swear to me. Swear that no matter what happens, you will love her fiercely. You will protect her with your life. You will never let her suffer another day of abuse, and you will never be the reason she sheds another tear."

Meeting his intense glare, Callahan stood tall and unflinching. Without a millisecond of hesitation, he said, "I swear it."

The older man stared at him in dead silence for several seconds, burning the absolute conviction in Callahan's eyes into his memory.

"Good. Never forget this moment."

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