Chapter 176:  Tender Moments

XENOIS When she finally pulled away, we were both breathing hard, and I could see tears threatening to fall  that were gathering in her eyes.   "Don't do anything stupid out there," she said, her voice rough with emotion as she looked at me , desperately, her hands gripped on tight as she continued speaking.   "I know we still have things to work through, and we still need to figure out if this marriage is worth saving after everything that's happened between us. But that doesn't mean I want you to get yourself killed being reckless or doing something stupid. You absolutely cannot DIE out there, Xenois."   Her words hit me like a physical blow, the reminder that our relationship was still in limbo despite the intimacy we'd been sharing lately and I nodded my head. I knew better than to assume that our marriage was sealed after I gave her the freedom to leave if she chose, to pursue happiness outside if hers is out there. But underneath her practical concerns that she was giving me, I c