I reach up. Slowly.
Bob shifts—but doesn’t move to stop me.
Darian freezes. Eyes wide, holding his breath.
I press a soft kiss to his cheek.
It leaves me a little unsteady.
His entire body shatters.
When I pull away, he’s staring at me like I just handed him the sun.
Don’t look at me like that.
Bob’s posture softens completely. My shadows seem to breathe outward, calm now.
I force myself to hold his gaze.
“I’ll keep that in mind, Darian.”
Then the warning. Because I need him tohearthis.
“But if you ever cross me again—bond or not—I’ll kill you myself.”
Darian doesn’t flinch. “I know.”
Good.
My shadows settle. Calm now.
His shadows move toward mine—subtle, instinctive, unconscious.
Mine don’t pull away. Mouse stops guarding. Linda drifts back. Bob stands down.
Okay. We’re okay.
I turn first, walking back to through the village.
Darian watches me go. I can feel it.
And something in my chest shifts.
Not forgiveness.
Just the start of something that might survive it.
Chapter 14
Torric
I’ve been pacing this hallway for the last ten minutes like an idiot.
Pretending to check the wards. Adjusting my weapons belt. Anything to look like I have a reason to be here instead of the truth:
I’m waiting for her.
I felt her leave earlier. Felt the pull of the bond shift when she walked away from the house with Revna. I followed her, then finally walking away when I saw her with Darian. I just can’t. And I’ve been on edge ever since.
