I take it. Drink. The cold helps center me.
"You pushed too hard," Corvus says. His clinical voice is back but there's concern underneath. "Your body can't handle that level of exertion right now."
"My body can handle whatever I tell it to handle."
"That's not how biology works."
"Seems to be working fine for you three." I meet his eyes. "Using biology as an excuse for everything."
Something flickers across his face. "It's not an excuse—"
"Isn't it?" I stand. Legs still shaking but holding. "Fated mates. Genetic compatibility. You couldn't help yourselves. Biology made you do it."
"That's not—" Dorian starts.
"Save it." I pick up my towel. "I'm not interested in more lectures about destiny and genetics and ninety-nine point nine seven percent compatibility."
I walk toward the house. Each step deliberate. Measured.
Corvus moves to follow. I stop. Turn.
"Don't."
He freezes.
"I came out here to swim. I swam. Now I'm going back to my room." I look at all three of them. "Unless you're going to physically stop me?"
Silence.
"That's what I thought."
"We don't own you," Corvus says quietly.
"Yes."
He studies me for a long moment. Something shifts in his expression. Not quite respect but close. "That's either the bravest or most foolish thing I've ever witnessed."
"Maybe both." I meet his eyes. "But it's my choice. Mine. Not yours. Not biology's. Mine."
I walk past all three of them. Toward the French doors. My legs shake—from exertion or rejection sickness or the sheer effort of maintaining control.
But I keep my spine straight. Head high.
At the threshold, I pause. Look back.
They're frozen where I left them. Dorian at the pool's edge looking gutted. Oakley standing with his hands clenched, looking lost. Corvus where we talked, looking like someone just rewrote his entire worldview.
Good.
Let them suffer like I have.
"Dinner's at seven, right?" I ask. Voice light. Casual. "I'll be there. I need to keep my strength up."
I pause. Smile.
"If I'm going to continue making your lives hell."
Inside,Imakeitto my room before my legs give out.
