Cora stepped between them. “That’s enough. This is my decision, Grayson. You don’t get to dictate what I do.”
“Maybe I wouldn’t have to if you didn’t keep putting yourself at risk,” he retorted. “You’re playing with forces you don’t understand.”
“She’s not doing this alone, “Elena explained. “I’m helping her.”
“And that’s supposed to make me feel better?” Grayson asked. “You’re enabling her.”
Elena didn’t flinch. If anything, her spine lengthened, and she stood up even straighter. “I’m supporting her. Something you might want to try instead of steamrolling her every chance you get.”
“I’m trying to protect her,” but apparently, I’m the only one who cares about that.”
“Protecting someone doesn’t mean controlling them,” Elena countered. “It means trusting them to make their own choices, even if you disagree.”
He wanted to argue, to tell Elena she was wrong, but the truth lodged in his throat like a stone.
Elena stood and brushed off her hands. “I think I’ll leave you two to sort this out.” She looked at Cora. “Call me if you need anything.”
Cora nodded, and her gaze followed Elena to the door. The moment the latch clicked shut, silence fell over the room.
“What were you thinking, bringing her into this?”
“She offered to help,” Cora said simply.
“And you thought that was a good idea?” he pressed. “Dragging her into this mess?”
“She’s my friend,” Cora snapped. “And she actually listens to me, which is more than I can say for you.”
Grayson flinched at the accusation. “I listen. I just don’t agree with you.”
“Exactly. You don’t agree, so you dismiss me. Like my choices don’t matter.”
“They matter. They matter so much that I’m trying to stop you from making one that could get you killed.”
“I’m not a child, Grayson,” she shot back. “I don’t need you to save me from myself.”
“Maybe not,” he admitted. “But I can’t stand by and watch you throw yourself into danger without doing something.”
“I’m not throwing myself into anything,” she argued. “I’m trying to take control of my life. Something I haven’t been able to do since all of this started.”
Grayson took a step closer. “And what about me? What happens to me if you go through with this and it all goes wrong?”
Cora faltered, but she was quick to wave her hand at him. “You’ll be fine. You always are.”
“You don’t know that. Do you think breaking this bond won’t hurt me, too? You think I’ll just walk away unscathed?”
Her eyes widened, and surprise flashed across her face. “I didn’t—”
“I care about you, Cora,” he interrupted. “More than I want to, more than I should. And the thought of losing you…”
His voice broke, and he turned away, gripping the edge of the table. He heard her suck in a breath, but he couldn’t bring himself to look at her.
“Grayson,” she said softly, her voice trembling.
He shook his head. “Don’t. Don’t say anything unless you mean it.”
For a long moment, the only sound in the room was the faint rustle of movement as she stepped closer. He felt her hand on his arm, and the contact was enough to undo him.
He turned and closed the distance between them before he could second-guess himself. His hands found her face, clasping her cheeks as he captured her lips with his.
