Honeyed Pasture Abandoned but not forgotten

Embry closed his eyes at the fae's bitter tone. When he opened them again, they were not defiant; nowhere close to defensive. They were utterly contrite: full of disbelief, love, and that same tenderness as the day they'd first found peace. Would they always meet like this? Fighting at the onset?

"Feyre... I told you that I loved you. I really loved you. And," he released a heavy sigh; oxygen he had been storing for what felt like years. All the pain and regret chipping at his core now, more than ever before. "I still do love you."

He shook his head again; laughed but ruefully - something that didn't touch his eyes. "Why would I hurt something I loved so much on purpose?" And he met her gaze again. This time his emotions were mixed; harder but all the more soft in their passionate carriage. "What was I supposed to do, Feyre? I stole you from a better life with a pack that could provide for you. I wasn't about to watch you die, so I chose the next best option."