“Then you’ll end it?”
“Yes.”
Viktor speaks for the first time since his introduction. “Vanya, perhaps we should—”
“This doesn’t concern Aurora operations,” she responds without looking away from me.
“It does if you’re threatening one of my allies. Luke Kenan is a Craven. A respected commander.” Viktor’s voice is careful, but I catch the scent of his own dragon power rising in response to the challenge.
“I’m protecting my daughter. If that threatens your command structure, that’s your problem.”
The standoff stretches between them. Viktor’s expression hardens, but he doesn’t push.
“It’s fine, sir,” I say. “Elder Arrowvane and I understand each other.”
Viktor studies my face, sees the defeat there. “Understood,” he finally concedes. “If you’re sure.”
“It is.” I nod, turn to leave.
“Kenan,” Vanya calls.
I stop but don’t turn. My shoulders tense, scales rippling beneath the skin of my back, invisible but present.
“If you care about her at all—truly care—you’ll let her go.”
I don’t respond. Just open the door and leave.
Hargen still waits in the corridor, expression sympathetic. I walk past without a word. Don’t trust myself to speak with the dragonfire burning in my throat, threatening to emerge.
Don’t trust myself with anything.
Chapter 31
Luke
Back in my quarters, the bed remains unmade from earlier this morning. Her scent still lingers on my sheets. Evidence of what we shared just hours ago. The pillow holds the imprint of her head, the covers still warm where her body lay twined with mine.
She must have woken after I left, gone back to her quarters. Probably better this way. I’m not ready to face her just yet.
Not ready to face anything.
I sit on the edge, elbows on knees, head in hands, replaying every word Vanya said. Hating that they all rang true.
She’s right. About all of it.
I’m too old. Too fucked up. Too guilty.
Ember deserves someone who doesn’t come with centuries of baggage.
Someone who won’t cost her everything she has ahead of her.
My hands shake. Not from fear, but from the effort of containing the dragon half that wants to rampage through Aurora headquarters. Heat builds beneath my skin, the familiar pressure of scales threatening to emerge. I tighten my fists until my knuckles crack, forcing the shift back.
I’ll end it. Cleanly. Before she gets hurt worse. Before Vanya makes good on her threats and tears us both apart.
It’s the right thing. The only thing.
Even if it kills me.
