“You’re right. I created this bond without her consent. Tied her to me out of desperation and instinct. She deserves the choice to walk away.” I meet her eyes. Hold her gaze. “But she also deserves to make that choice clearly. Not confused, with half the bond already severed and both of us uncertain what we’re losing.”
“Mara asked us to,” Elena counters. “She wants—”
“Mara is processing trauma and fear and a week of surviving on instinct.” I keep my voice level. Factual. “As am I. Neither of us should make permanent decisions while we’re still bleeding.”
Silence falls.
Elena studies me. Reading intention. Looking for manipulation or weakness.
She’ll find neither.
“You agree the bond should be broken,” she says. Not a question.
“I agree, Mara should have the choice. Real choice.”
“Then why stop us?”
“Because I will not allow you to sever a magical bond while I’m three floors away in interrogation without even the courtesy of warning.”
Elena’s jaw tightens. “You think this is about courtesy?”
“I think this is about caution. For Mara. For the situation. For the fact that what you’re unmaking could literally kill her. You’re putting her in danger.”
“I’m not putting her in danger. I—” Elena stops. Glances at Mara. “I thought I was helping.”
“You were,” Mara says quietly. She’s been silent through the exchange, watching. “You are.”
“How can you know that?” I ask. “How do you know your magic will work? That you won’t take away the one thing keeping her alive?”
“Because the magic is strong, my Lord Kael.” Lila’s voice is deferential. “Between us, we can harness enough power to speed the healing. By the time the bond is gone, she’ll be strong enough to manage on her own.”
“You expect me to take your word for it?”
“Yes.” Elena’s jaw juts out. “We’re not idiots, you know. I would never put my friend at risk.”
“From where I’m standing, that’s exactly what you’re doing,” I snap.
Mara looks at me. “I asked for this, Kael. Don’t blame Lennie for—”
“I’m not blaming her.” I sense my voice soften. “I’m trying to protect you.”
Is that what I’m doing?
“I know.” Mara’s smile is small. Sad. “But maybe I need to figure out what protecting myself looks like. Instead of having everyone else decide for me.” She glances at Elena, then heavesa sigh, as if reaching some conclusion. “Can you give me more time? Till tomorrow? He’s right. I need to think about what this might mean. If it doesn’t work…”
“Itwillwork, Mara!” Elena’s voice is firm. Her eyes flash at me.
“I’d still like to think about it,” Mara says.
There’s a pause. And then Elena nods slowly. Steps back. “Okay. Tomorrow.” She looks at me. “You have until then.”
“Understood.” I nod.
She and Lila move toward the door. Lila pauses beside me.
“She’s stronger than you think,” she says quietly. “Breaking the bond won’t break her.”
“Perhaps. But I’m not prepared to risk it.”
